Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HELEN KELLER SCHOOL
HELEN KELLER SCHOOL. Helen Keller was an educational facility established for severely and profoundly handicapped and trainable students in the DUBUQUE COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT. In April, 1981 the board of education approved tentative plans for a 33,000 square foot building next to EISENHOWER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL at an estimated cost of two million dollars. During discussions, board members expressed concerns that Dubuque tax dollars were paying for a building that would serve out-of-district students. An estimated one-third of the 150 students would come from residential care at private facilities like AREA RESIDENTIAL CARE, INC. and HILLS & DALES CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER. The state required the district to educate these students and provided some reimbursement, but no financial aid for use in constructing a facility. (1)
The name of the building was approved by the board of education on October 11, 1982. On May 31, 1983, staff members from FRANKLIN SCHOOL began the process of moving into the new $3 million school located on Dubuque's westside and adjacent to Eisenhower.
The school was opened on June 13, 1983, to one hundred nineteen students who were assigned to classes by age and occasionally by their ability to function. The average class contained six students. While students participated in some group activities, each had an individual educational plan and were often instructed on a one-to-one basis.
The building was constructed to overcome problems associated with Franklin. Halls and doorways were wide to allow the free access of wheelchairs. Other features included elevators, ramps, and large bathrooms. Hallways came equipped with metal railings to assist students with difficulty in walking. The lighting system in many rooms came with dimmer switches to prevent bright lights causing seizures in some students. Living skills education was planned using a model apartment. Other programs included vocational skills and community mobility to teach students the use of mass transit.
In 1990 the name Helen Keller School was dropped, and the building became part of Eisenhower School.
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Source:
1. "Special Ed. Building Okayed at Minimum, $2 Million," Telegraph Herald, April 21 1981, p. 7
