TESTING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING

DefinitionDeaf - This term refers to members of the Deaf community who share common values, norms, traditions, language, and behaviors. Deaf people do not perceive themselves as having lost something (i.e., hearing) and do not think of themselves as handicapped, impaired, or disabled. They celebrate and cherish their culture because it gives them the unique privilege of sharing a common history and language. Deaf people are considered a linguistic minority within the American culture. They have their own culture and at the same time live and work within the dominant American culture.

DefinitionDeaf, hard of hearing, and deafened - Within the Deaf culture these words refer to a person's audiological status. Notice lower case "d'" is used. People who describe themselves as "hard of hearing" or "deafened" do not see themselves as members of the Deaf culture. Some may know sign language but their primary language is English.

Hearing Impaired - This term often is used by the media and society in general to refer to people with a hearing loss. A more acceptable generic phrase is "deaf and hard of hearing" to refer to all people with a hearing loss. Within the Deaf culture, the term "hearing impaired" often is seen as offensive. It suggests that Deaf people are "broken" or "inferior" because they do not hear.

DefinitionHearing - Within the Deaf culture the term "hearing" is used to identify people who are members of the dominant American culture. One might think the ASL sign for "hearing" is related to the group's ability to hear (e.g., pointing to the ear). However, the sign for "hearing" is related to the ability to "talk." The act of talking is clearly visible to Deaf people, whereas listening or hearing is not. From the Deaf culture perspective, it is the act of "talking" that clearly separates the two groups.

By the NumbersNumber of adults with hearing trouble is 34.8 million or 15%

12 out of every 1,000 persons with hearing impairment is under 18 years of age

Majority of individuals are hard of hearing and not completely deaf

More men report difficulty with hearing

Hearing difficulties increase with age

Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2008

Numbers may not be accurate as many individuals do not want to report themselves as deaf of hard of hearing.

Etiology of Hearing LossCan be caused by a condition in pregnancy or premature birthCan be genetic in nature or caused by a medical syndrome such as rubella, meningitis or severe ear infectionsApproximately 50% of cases are due to unknown factorsHearing loss can be acquired due to medication side effects, illness or loud noise (repeated exposure to ordinance, loud music)

Language BarriersIndividuals who are congenitally deaf or who become deaf in early childhood have difficulty with standard English because they miss out on hearing the sounds that contribute to language acquisition.Individuals born to hearing parents are more language-delayed as they do not share a common language with their family.NOT similar to students who are ESL learners. Those individuals most likely do not have a disability.

Cultural ConsiderationsPsychosocial basis is the fact that people who are deaf prefer to communicate and socialize with other people who are deafSince ASL is its own language, this makes the argument for deaf culture strongerDeaf culture promotes pride and a sense of community whereas deafness or hard of hearing does notStrong tendency to marry another individual who is deaf and hope for a deaf child to pass on culture and traditionsCommon language improves socialization which can lead to better educational opportunities for children

Cochlear ImplantsVery controversialDeaf community feels as if their way of life is fully functionalDevice is imbedded in the temporal bone where the electrodes do the work of the damaged cochlea and stimulate the auditory nerves that are sent to the brainMost successful in younger children so they can acquire oral language skillsSeen as an attempt to fix deafness, implying something is wrong with being deaf

Classroom AccommodationsDont ask the interpreter and student to sit in the back of the room so they will be less distracting to the rest of the classDont ask the interpreter or CART writer to help you pass out material or get something that you may need for classDont skip over the student when making introductions or sharing information. They still have the right to fully participate in the class!Write key phrases, concepts and assignments on the boardUse visual aids when possible (overheads/Pp)

Classroom AccommodationsEnsure that any DVD or Video shown is closed-captionedFace the class instead of having your back to them when lecturingConsider an alternate seating arrangement so the class has the option of facing each other when communicatingPresent new concepts/vocabulary ahead of time so the student can be familiar with them ahead of timeAsk students to raise hands before speaking so a student who is deaf can easily identify who is speakingIf an interpreter is not present, you can write a quick note to the student if you need to tell them something immediately

Sign-Language InterpretersAn interpreters role is to facilitate communicationand convey all auditory and signed information sothat both hearing and deaf individuals may fullyinteract.Interpreters typically have certification and follow a code of ethics.Interpreters allow the student to be in control of their communication between the instructor and the rest of the class.

Interpreting TipsWhen using a sign-language interpreter, look directly at the person who is deaf, and maintain eye contact to be polite. Talk directly to the person (What would you like?), rather than to the interpreter (Ask her what shed like.)Speak naturally and at a reasonable pace so the interpreter can convey the necessary material in a timely manner.Allow the person who is deaf to ask questions through the interpreter.The person who is deaf will have to look directly at the interpreter for communication so she/he will not be able to look at the instructor.

Interpreting TipsUC Clermont typically provides 2 interpreters if the class covers complicated material or is lengthy. The interpreters will trade-off during the class so they will both need to be seated near the student for a smooth transition.

CART WritersCART Computer Aided Realtime Translation isthe instant translation of the spoken word intoEnglish text performed by a CART reporter using astenotype machine, notebook computer and realtimesoftware. The text is then displayed on a computermonitor or other display device for the student whois deaf or hard of hearing to read. This technology isprimarily used by people with hearing loss, but it alsohas been used by people with learning disabilities orthose who are learning English as a second language.

CART WritersSupernotes vs. Real TimeTranscriptsDont tell an interpreter or a CART writer that they are not needed for a particular class. This is the students decision to make.

Assistive Communication DevicesHearing aids FM Listening systems personal device that uses radio frequency to transmit sound to a receiver worn by the person who is hard of hearingInfrared systems sound is transmitted through infrared light wavesVisual systems like TTY phone, speech recognition software, closed-captioning, notetakingAlerting systems signal when a sound is made like a doorbell, vibrating alarm clock, fire alarm

Testing ConsiderationsInstitutions need to determine guidelines for when interpreters are needed for testingVarious measures of assessment should be utilized. Tests alone may not be able to measure the students true knowledge of the material.Students need to know test-taking skillsTests should be written so they are clear and understandable for all learners.An interpreter may be needed to interpret questions into ASL.

Online ClassesWill the class be required to view any videos/DVDs, media files?Disability Services will assist you in making accommodations when necessary.It is helpful to think of all learners when designing online courses.Elluminate example