Section 16-25.2-1 - DefinitionsAs used in this chapter:
(1) "American sign language" means the visual/gestural language used by deaf people in the United States and Canada, with semantic, syntactic, morphological, and phonological rules which are distinct from English.(2) "Deaf student" means an individual who has a hearing impairment which adversely affects educational performance and which is so severe that the student is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification.(3) "English sign" systems means sign systems developed for educational purposes, which use manual signs in English word order; sometimes with added affixes which are not present in American sign language.(4) "Hard of hearing student" means an individual who has a hearing impairment, whether permanent or fluctuating, which adversely affects a child's educational performance but which is not included under the definition of "deaf student" in this section.(5) "Individualized education program" means a written statement developed for a student eligible for special education services pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.(6) "Primary communication mode, style, and language" means that communication mode, style, and language which is preferred by and most effective for a particular student, as determined by appropriate language assessment undertaken by individuals proficient in the communication mode, style, or languages being assessed.R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-25.2-1