Providing Services and Accommodations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in a Mainstream Setting

Summary

This video highlights the essential services and accommodations needed to support students who are deaf or hard of hearing in a mainstream classroom setting. It discusses various professionals, including speech-language pathologists, teachers of the deaf, educational audiologists, and interpreters, who contribute to the student’s success. The video also emphasizes the importance of classroom modifications, such as seating arrangements, captioning, and hearing assistance technologies, to ensure equal access to the curriculum. By addressing these needs, schools can help students with hearing loss thrive academically and socially.

Takeaways

• 😀 Students who are deaf or hard of hearing can succeed in mainstream classrooms with the right services and accommodations.
• 😀 Specialists such as speech-language pathologists, teachers of the deaf, and educational audiologists play a key role in student success.
• 😀 Speech-language pathologists help with auditory skills, comprehension, social skills, and other language-related needs for students with hearing loss.
• 😀 Teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing should match their expertise with the needs of the student, whether it's for spoken or manual communication.
• 😀 Educational audiologists ensure the appropriateness and functionality of hearing devices and classroom acoustics for students.
• 😀 Certified interpreters are essential for students who need assistance in understanding spoken information, especially those using American Sign Language or other communication methods.
• 😀 Real-time captioning services provide speech-to-text transcription for students who need support in accessing classroom discussions.
• 😀 Remote microphone hearing assistance technologies help students hear teachers and peers in noisy environments by transmitting sound directly to their hearing devices.
• 😀 Classroom acoustics should be evaluated and modified by an educational audiologist to minimize noise, reverberation, and distance that can hinder listening.
• 😀 Students who are deaf or hard of hearing should be seated in classrooms where they can see both the teacher and their peers clearly to fully participate.
• 😀 Closed-captioning should be set up for all video media, even for students at an emergent reading level, to enhance vocabulary and comprehension.

Q & A

What role do professionals with knowledge of hearing loss play in supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Professionals with knowledge of hearing loss are essential in supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing. They contribute to the student's success by either working directly with the student or providing consultation services to teachers and staff, ensuring that the student receives the appropriate accommodations and support.

What are the key responsibilities of a speech-language pathologist working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing?

A speech-language pathologist works on listening comprehension, auditory skill development, articulation, grammar, comprehension, vocabulary, social skills, and pragmatics. They help students improve their communication abilities, particularly in listening and speaking, which are crucial for academic success.

Why is it important to match a teacher's expertise with the needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing?

It is important to match a teacher's expertise with the student's needs because teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing specialize in different areas, such as spoken or manual communication. Aligning the teacher’s expertise with the student’s communication modality (like American Sign Language or spoken communication) ensures effective teaching and learning.

What is the role of an educational audiologist in supporting students with hearing loss?

Educational audiologists ensure that personal and classroom technologies are functioning properly and are appropriate for the student. They evaluate classroom acoustics, recommend necessary modifications, and ensure the student has access to the academic curriculum through proper hearing assistance technologies.

What should teachers look for when hiring an interpreter for a student who uses sign language?

Teachers should hire an interpreter who is certified and holds a degree in interpreting. The interpreter should be proficient in the communication modality the student uses, such as American Sign Language, Signed Exact English, or Cued Speech, to ensure equal access to the curriculum.

How does real-time captioning support students who are deaf or hard of hearing?

Real-time captioning provides a speech-to-text transcription of everything said in the classroom. This service helps students follow class discussions, access curriculum content, and stay engaged with the classroom activities. It can be provided on-site or remotely, depending on the student's needs.

What are some physical accommodations needed for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom?

Physical accommodations include addressing challenges like noise, reverberation, and distance. Technologies such as remote microphone hearing assistance can help students hear teachers and peers. Classroom acoustics should also be assessed and modified to reduce noise, and certain physical features, like loud clocks or noisy systems, should be eliminated.

Why should classrooms for students who are deaf or hard of hearing be evaluated by an educational audiologist?

Classroom evaluations by an educational audiologist are important to identify and mitigate factors that negatively impact students with hearing loss, such as poor acoustics, noise, and reverberation. Modifications suggested by the audiologist, such as using area rugs or covering chair feet, can improve sound quality and accessibility.

How can seating arrangements impact a student who is deaf or hard of hearing?

Seating arrangements are crucial for ensuring that students can see the teacher and their peers clearly. The educational audiologist will recommend the best seating location based on the student's hearing loss, the classroom setup, and the teacher's style, ensuring the student has optimal access to auditory and visual information.

Why is closed-captioning important for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, even if they are at an emergent reading level?

Closed-captioning is important because it supports vocabulary growth and helps students understand topic transitions, even if their reading skills are still developing. Captions enable students to follow along with videos and media content, ensuring they can access the information being presented.