Academic Accommodations and Communication Considerations for Students with Hearing Impairments

Classroom Lectures:

If you face the board while talking, students who speech-read will lose track of what you are saying, so try to face the class when lecturing. It is very difficult to change this habit but the hearing impaired student will appreciate your efforts. Try to avoid walking back and forth. It makes it more difficult for students who read lips to understand what you are saying. Try to avoid using terms like this and that while referring to visual aids and items on the board. The deaf student cannot watch the board and the interpreter simultaneously. Speak at normal volume and normal pace. Remember that communication based largely on visual concentration (speech-reading or interpretation) is very demanding. If the student glances away momentarily, she misses parts of the lecture or discussion. Since intense visual concentration is physically taxing, and since the same high degree of concentration is demanded of the interpreter, it is very helpful to allow a break every hour.

Note takers:

Because of the constant visual attention required for speech-reading or interpreting hearing impaired, students will also use note takers during the class. If the student does not use an ASL interpreter, a Communication Access Realtime Translation Provider (C.A.R.T.), who makes a transcript of the lecture, may be used instead.