About Deaf/ Hard of Hearing

What are the educational challenges for a student who is deaf or hard of hearing? Because exposure to verbal communication is limited for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, even those with superior intelligence and abilities are at a great disadvantage in acquiring language skills. English, being a phonological language, is often a second language to sign language, a visual language, for students who are hearing impaired.   Through amplification, many students who are deaf/hard of hearing are able to hear at an acceptable level. Personal hearing aids and assistive listening devices, using a radio link between instructor and student, in many cases enable the student to participate in the classroom without the help of an interpreter or aide.

What Should the Instructor Know?
A student who is deaf/hard of hearing may use a combination of techniques to comprehend what is spoken in class. They may use sound amplification, lipreading, sign language interpreting and "real time" captioning.

*  Transcribing services, using a transcriber who keys in what is spoken in class. The student is able to read it as it is typed.

*  If an interpreter or other aide is present, look at the student when speaking rather than the aide.

*  If a student is lipreading, be sure that the student is able to clearly see from his/her seat.

*  Providing the student with a copy of lecture notes may help the student to better follow the lecture. A volunteer notetaker in class may also be helpful.

* If an assistive listening device is utilized, the instructor will wear a small wireless microphone on the lapel. The student will demonstrate its use to the instructor.

Discuss the preferred method of accommodation with the student. The student will be able to suggest the best methods for individual learning success.    

What Should the Student Know?
* An initial planning session with the Director of Disability Services will assist in planning proper accommodations for a student who is deaf/hard of hearing. After review of proper documentation of the disability, the student and the director can develop a strategy, using the student's preferences in accommodations,  to ensure the success of the student.

* Assistive listening devices are installed in all campus meeting rooms or classrooms which seat 50 or more.

* Interpreter services can be arranged through Disability Services.

* A text telephone (TTY) is available by contacting Disability Services.

* Writing Workshop may be able to offer assistance to students in need of improving their written language skills.

* Volunteer notetakers can free the student to more closely follow visually without the distraction of taking notes.

* Visual fire alarms will be installed in the dormitory room of a student who is deaf/hard of hearing to aid in evacuation in case of an emergency.

* Liberated Learning courses convert speech to text in real time on a screen in the classroom. Classes utilizing this technology are designated as such in the course registration packet.

If you need further assistance, please call Messiah College Disability Services at (717)796-5382.
Disability Services in located in Hoffman 101 and 102.