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.
Sport is a great way to include deaf and hearing children in 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.
Work
Deaf school-leavers now have the same career opportunities as their hearing peers, thanks to improved accessibility to third-level and higher education.
School-leavers wanting practical career training have the option of FAS, VEC or community college courses, or taking a course at Roslyn Park.
Trinity College offers lecture supports for deaf students on its books, and encourages the students to network with each other during their studies.
Here’s a subject list of what deaf students are studying at third level under the Deaf Needs Assessment (DNA) project hosted by Trinity College, Dublin.
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, ran a mentor pilot for graduates with disabilities but this ended in December 2007.
If a topic you’d like to see isn’t here, why not check our message board?Please send feedback to info@irishdeafkids.ie as this section is still growing.