Delaware

ACLU-DE reviews complaint amid backlash from deaf, hard-of-hearing community

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

ACLU-DE reviews complaint amid backlash from deaf, hard-of-hearing community

The ACLU of Delaware levied a formal complaint against Delaware’s Department of Education just before the Christmas holiday — calling for an investigation into “systemic discrimination against deaf and hard-of-hearing youth.”

Filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, the complaint claims Delaware is violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, while it centered largely on access to “Listening and Spoken Language” therapy. The organization called it the “gold standard” when teaching communication skills to children hard of hearing.

That has received backlash from some of the very people it hoped to empower.

Such backlash from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community is underscored by one petition started Dec. 26 — having gained more than 20,000 signatures over a holiday break. The Delaware Association of the Deaf also said it was “profoundly disturbed and disappointed” by the complaint in a response letter to ACLU-DE. And Language First, a Connecticut-based advocacy organization, wrote an open letter saying the complaint discredits other teaching methods for children, while promoting misconceptions about their language acquisition.

“Reviewing current research findings and practices in Delaware and nationwide, there is no agreed upon ‘gold standard,’ a baseless and ideologically driven claim made in your complaint,” writes the board of Delaware Association of the Deaf. “In fact, countless studies on brain development and language in infants, including Deaf infants, recommend immediate and intensive immersion in a fully accessible natural language, including ASL a natural visual language, as being critical.”

The association said LSL therapy is just one strategy, which should not discount “the documented benefits and role” of visual language or bilingual strategies. The board requested a withdrawal of the complaint entirely.

ACLU-DE hasn’t gone quite that far.

The organization removed its posts about the complaint, however, and cited time needed to review community feedback.

“We’re invested in learning more from this community as we review both our actions and our impact regarding the OCR complaint,” wrote ACLU-DE in a tweet Tuesday. “We’ll be reaching out to community members to discuss the concerns that were shared and ensure that our work does not in any way impede ASL education.”

Original complaint: Students with hearing loss in Delaware face ‘systemic discrimination,’ ACLU-DE claims

‘The question is, gold for whom?’

Concerned advocates echoed these calls to pull the complaint.

Many noted a lack of research supporting LSL therapy over other methods, while also opining that Delaware’s School for the Deaf should not be described as restrictive. ACLU-DE’s complaint claimed the state over-refers to the school.

“Schools for the deaf may very well be the least restrictive environment (LRE) for many DHH children,” writes Language First in its open letter, nodding to similar language from federal law. “Indeed, being educated in an environment where one can have direct and fully accessible communication between their teachers and peers does seem to fit the definition of ‘least restrictive.’”

Reaction is still mixed. Nick Fina, project lead for CHOICES Delaware, a grassroots organization for children with hearing loss, supported the initial complaint, saying such access issues stretch over decades. He also pointed to an upcoming informational event about LSL, set for 7 p.m. Jan. 17.

Sara Nović started her petition late last month.

The author and instructor also wrote a letter to ACLU-DE, she shared on her social media, compiling feedback from over 50 Delaware families. She said the complaint was lodged with “out-of-date and incorrect information about deaf education and signed language,” while it posits LSL as a “gold standard” in deaf education.

“The question is, gold for whom?” she writes in the petition.

“LSL advocacy is still built on this philosophy — that deaf children must assimilate and participate in a veneer of inclusion rather than actually learning — to disastrous effect for deaf kids,” the petition also states.

Nović is the author of the “True Biz” — a New York Times best-seller following a teacher and students at a boarding school for the deaf — as well as an instructor of deaf studies and creative writing, according to her website. The Philadelphia resident continues an open call for more input from Delaware families.

And ACLU-DE is ready to hear from more residents, too.

It shared next steps that are to include “conversations with the deaf and hard of hearing community.” Specific dates or events have not yet been made known.

Do you have a story? Share your perspective with us: kepowers@gannett.com.

Kelly Powers covers race, culture and equity for Delaware Online and USA TODAY Network Northeast, with a focus on education. Contact her at kepowers@gannett.com or (231) 622-2191, and follow her on Twitter @kpowers01.

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Delaware

Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 10, 2026

Published

4 hours ago

April 11, 2026

Press Room

Delaware Lottery Mega Millions, Play 3 Day winning numbers for April 10, 2026

The Delaware Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Friday, April 10, 2026 results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 10 drawing

03-18-36-42-49, Mega Ball: 06

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 3 numbers from April 10 drawing

Day: 2-4-8

Night: 0-1-3

Check Play 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 4 numbers from April 10 drawing

Day: 6-6-3-8

Night: 7-3-1-5

Check Play 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Multi-Win Lotto numbers from April 10 drawing

04-10-17-19-25-26

Check Multi-Win Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Play 5 numbers from April 10 drawing

Day: 4-2-6-7-5

Night: 1-9-3-1-4

Check Play 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Sign the Ticket: Establish legal ownership by signing the back of your ticket with an ink pen.
Prizes up to $599: Claim at any Delaware Lottery Retailer, in person at the Delaware Lottery Office, or mail your signed ticket and claim form; print your name/address on the ticket’s back and keep a copy/photo for records. By mail, send original tickets and documentation to: Delaware Lottery, 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904.
Prizes up to $2,500: Claim in person at Delaware Lottery Retailer Claim Centers throughout Kent, Sussex and New Castle Counties.
Prizes of $5,001 or more: Claim in person at the Delaware Lottery Office (business days 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with a photo ID and Social Security card.
For all prize claims, directions to the Delaware Lottery Office are available online or via mapquest.com for a map.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Delaware Lottery.

Can I claim a jackpot prize anonymously in Delaware?

Fortunately for First State residents, the Delaware Lottery allows winners remain anonymous. Unlike many other states that require a prize be over a certain jackpot, Delawareans can remain anonymous no matter how much, or how little, they win.

How long do I have to claim my prize in Delaware?

Tickets are valid for up to one year past the drawing date for drawing game prizes or within one year of the announced end of sales for Instant Games, according to delottery.com.

When are the Delaware Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
Play 3, 4: Daily at 1:58 p.m. and 7:57 p.m., except Sunday afternoon.
Multi-Win Lotto: 7:57 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Lucky for Life: Daily at 10:38 p.m.
Lotto America: 11:00 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday

Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Delaware Online digital operations manager. You can send feedback using this form.

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Delaware

Lower Slower Delaware Festival returning to Frankford vineyard April 12 – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties

Published

16 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Lower Slower Delaware Festival returning to Frankford vineyard April 12 – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties

The third annual Lower Slower Delaware Festival will take place April 12 at Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery, featuring live music, food and family-friendly activities. (Photo courtesy of Salted Vines.)

A local vineyard in Frankford will host the third annual Lower Slower Delaware Festival on April 12, offering a full day of live music, food and family-friendly activities.

The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Salted Vines Vineyard & Winery and is open to the public at no cost.

Organizers say the festival is designed to highlight local culture in Sussex County, featuring live entertainment, regional food vendors and small businesses.

Live music is scheduled throughout the day, beginning with Whiskey Graves at 11 a.m., followed by an afternoon performance from String Theory at 3 p.m.

Several food vendors are expected to participate, including Carl’s Gourmet Hots & Sandwiches, Fast Italian, Luv Thai, Taco Reho and Tipsy Flamingo.

In addition to food and music, local vendors will be set up throughout the property offering handmade goods and other items.

Seating will be available on-site, though attendees are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets. Outside alcohol is not permitted on the property in accordance with Delaware law.

The event is one of several spring gatherings taking place across Sussex County as the coastal region heads into the busy summer season.

Sara Uzer is a journalist from Sussex County with more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and community advocate. She started her career in Washington, DC and has lived in Sussex County for the past five years.

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Delaware

Rehoboth officials announce road closures for April 12 running festival

Published

1 day ago

April 10, 2026

Press Room

Rehoboth officials announce road closures for April 12 running festival

Thousands of runners are expected to compete Sunday, April 12, in the Coastal Delaware Running Festival 9K, half-marathon and full marathon.

The race routes will take participants around Rehoboth Beach and surrounding areas, causing brief closures and restrictions.

Access to the following Rehoboth-area roads will be restricted to street residents only from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 12: Henlopen Avenue (Henlopen Acres residents should use Second Street for access), Columbia Avenue, Grove Street from Columbia Avenue to Henlopen Avenue, Gerar Street, Sussex Street between Fifth and Fourth streets, Ocean Drive and Surf Avenue.

Drivers should also anticipate possible brief closures on the following roads from 7 to 9 a.m.: Lake Avenue, Oak Avenue, Second Street from Columbia Avenue to Lake Avenue, Virginia Avenue first block, and First Street from Virginia Avenue to Lake Avenue.

City of Rehoboth Beach officials appreciate motorists’ cooperation and patience during these closures.

For more information, including maps and pictures, go to codelrun.com.

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