Community / Work

Community

Some deaf youngsters will have a strong preference for mixing with deaf and / or hearing people, but for others, this is not such a big issue.

Regardless of which community a deaf youngster chooses to mix with, the experience will help shape their self-identity and uncover possible talents.

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Sport is a great way to include deaf and hearing children in shared activities as the rules (the ‘culture’ of the game) are easily understood by all players.

Deaf children may prefer to participate in activities organised by their local community, or by their local deaf club – it all comes down to preference.

Extra-curricular school activities are also likely to impact your child’s choice of peer group and the hobbies /interests they continue after leaving school.

Deaf school-leavers now have the exact same career opportunities as their hearing peers, thanks to improved access to third-level & higher education.

School-leavers wanting practical career training have the option of VEC or community college courses, or taking a course at Roslyn Park.

Read about IDK’s Post-School Options event (Nov 2011)

Trinity College offers lecture supports for deaf students on its books, and encourages the students to network with each other during their studies.

Deaf students now study all topics, at third level. IDK knows of deaf trainees in the fields of dentistry, medicine, vet science and in pharmacology.

DAWN (the Disability Advisors Working Network) for Ireland’s universities, the ITs, NCAD and NCI, has said accessibility for deaf students is a priority.

AHEAD, the Association for Higher Education and Disability, runs mentor pilots for graduates with disabilities: email for information on these pilots.