The school's approach includes: The intake evaluation process for deaf and hard of hearing children to attend RSD follows New York State Education Department procedures.

Families in New York State with deaf and hard of hearing children – newborn to age 18 – can apply to RSD directly at any time.

Parents of deaf and hard of hearing infants, toddlers and twos (children up to age 3) may request a referral to RSD from their county's Early Intervention program.

Families with children age 3 to 5 can request a referral to RSD from their home school district's Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE).

Each school has its own board of directors and receives financial support for operations and programming directly from the New York State Department of Education.