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Technology Has Revolutionised Deaf Education

By admin | September 15, 2011

The teaching of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing has altered as a result of technologies such as cochlear implants and speech-to-text tools, according to a recent report from Project Forum, at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education, in the United States (see summary).

Technology Has Changed The Teaching Of Deaf Students

Notable findings in the report include:

1. greater acceptance of deaf/hoh children by mainstream class teachers
2. a trend toward classroom accommodations, not specialised teaching
3. a decrease in the number of specialist schools for deaf children
4. a decline in the use of sign-language
5. an increased need for speech & language teachers for deaf children

Remaining challenges to address include:

• Service delivery in rural areas (see IDK’s Telepractice posts)
• Directed training for teachers and professional development
• Shrinking budgets for supporting deaf/hard of hearing students
• Need to improve relationships within the deaf/hoh community

The trends noted in this report are evident in Ireland, where mainstreaming for pupils who are deaf or hard-of-hearing was sanctioned in the 1994 Salamanca Statement (which Ireland ratified) and in the 2004 EPSEN Act.

Further Reading

* Deaf Education: A New Philosophy (RIT, November 2010)

* New York Times: Budget Cuts Polarising Deaf Education

* What Tertiary Supports Do Deaf Students Need?

* What Exactly Does Oral-Deaf Education Involve?

* Clarke School ‘Maps’ Changes In Deaf Education

Topics: Irish Deaf Kids | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Technology Has Revolutionised Deaf Education”

1. Insights To The Deaf Education Debate In The US | irish deaf kids Says:
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6. NCSE: Education Of Deaf/Hoh Children in Ireland | irish deaf kids Says:
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