Accommodating Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Schools
Ways to make the school environment accessible include:
- incorporating auditory and visual supports throughout the school.
- learning how to effectively work with a sign language interpreter.
- offering sign language courses for all students.
- including deaf and hard of hearing adults in schoolwide programs.
- encouraging participation in extracurricular activities for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Tips for the Classroom
- Maintain the same high expectations for deaf and hard of hearing students as you have for their hearing peers.
- Take time to learn about each student’s family and background.
- Learn what works in communicating effectively with each student (e.g., being close to the student, speaking clearly, showing your face to the student when speaking, lighting, amplification).
- Create visual supports such as graphics, charts, hands-on demonstrations, and PowerPoint presentations.
- Allow time to view pictures and/or read information.
- Repeat and paraphrase information to ensure clarity.
- Identify who is speaking during class discussions.
- Create accessible materials as appropriate for students’ skill levels as indicated on their Individualized Education Programs.
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