Deaf and Hearing Students Learning Together

Presentation Outline from the Foreign Language and Disability TeleTraining

My contribution to the book Worlds Apart? publication addresses a situation in which hearing and deaf students are together in the same language class. This occurs these days with increasing frequency as more deaf students take advantage of the ADA to attend university with the assistance of interpreters.

During the teletraining I wish briefly to discuss three issues:

1) Conditions related to a class with deaf and hearing students together,

2) Tools and practical techniques that the teacher may use to enhance the academic experience for the deaf student,

3) How the techniques introduced for the deaf student can be highly beneficial for the hearing students as well, thus helping to create a more integrated learning environment for all students.

I.    Conditions Related to a Deaf Student Joining a Class of Hearing Students

    A.    Varieties of deafness
        1.    Hearing loss varies widely in its range, and age of onset.
        2.    Method of communication among deaf individuals also varies.
    B.    In class: Deaf student who uses sign language, with interpreter

II.    Practical Techniques for Teachers

    A.    Communication prior to class
        1.    Office of Students with Disabilities, or Disability Coordinator
        2.    Student and interpreter
    B.    Visual contact in classroom
        1.    Sight line
        2.    Seating
        3.    Lighting
    C.    Classroom Equipment
        1.    Blackboard
        2.    Overhead projector
        3.    PowerPoint
    D.    Techniques
        1.    Blackboard
        2.    Color coding
        3.    Signs (see the hand diagram that relates to this section)
            a.    5-hand
            b.    4-hand
            c.    3-hand

III.    Working Together