For students with disabilities, having the right equipment is essential to leveling the playing field and ensuring their success in school. Adaptive equipment and assistive technologies are not just tools—they are lifelines that enable students to access their education, participate in classroom activities, and reach their full potential.

Today, the need for financial assistance is greater than ever. Hearing aids, ear molds, audiological equipment, and repairs are often not covered by insurance or tax dollars, leaving many students and families without access to these essential resources.

Dianne Arbeiter dedicated 25 years to serving students with hearing disabilities as the head of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at the Special School District. After losing her battle with cancer in 2001, her passion for helping students inspired her family and colleagues to create this annual Gift of Sound fundraiser in her honor.

Why the Right Equipment Matters

• Facilitates Learning: Specialized devices like hearing aids allow students to engage with educational content in a way that suits their abilities.
• Promotes Independence: Equipment designed for specific disabilities helps students develop autonomy and confidence.
• Supports Inclusion: When students with disabilities have the tools they need, they can participate fully in classroom discussions, group activities, and extracurricular programs, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusion among their peers
• Improves Academic Outcomes: Adaptive equipment ensures that every student has an equal opportunity to learn, minimizing barriers that might otherwise hinder their educational progress.
• Builds Skills for the Future: Providing students with the proper equipment in school prepares them for life beyond the classroom.

This is where we need your help. Your support—through purchasing a raffle ticket or making a donation—will directly fund life-changing audiological needs for students served by the Special School District, all across St. Louis County.

By contributing, you’re helping to give children with hearing disabilities the gift of sound and independence. At the same time, you get the chance to win gift cards galore and the experience of throwing out the first pitch at an upcoming St. Louis Cardinals baseball game!  Now through April 4th, you can enter to win. The drawing will be held on April 5th.

SEF receives no funding from the Special School District, United Way, or government institutions, relying entirely on private donations to bridge the gap. On behalf of the students and families we support, we thank you for your generosity and support.