Accommodations and Modifications

deafbajagal

deafbajagal

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What are some accomodations and modifications that may be necessary for deaf and hard of hearing children in a school setting?

I'd like to see contributions to this thread that include ALL deaf and hard of hearing children. :) I hope this thread can help us as teachers, parents, and specialists to get some ideas when we develop an Individual Education Plan or Section 504 Plan for a child.

I'll start with the most common ones.

* FM system (when appropriate)
* Soundfield sytem (when appropriate)
* Outline and notes (as needed)
* Study guide
* Word bank on tests (when appropriate)
 
I'm not deaf, but I've heard this mentioned:

Circle seating. (when appropriate) Might be useful for the HoH child.

terps

When I was in school, I had deafies in some of my classes, but there wasn't a terp provided for the student in every situation. That made no sense to me.
 
All kinds of visual cues...
 
Oceanbreeze said:
I'm not deaf, but I've heard this mentioned:

Circle seating. (when appropriate) Might be useful for the HoH child.

terps

When I was in school, I had deafies in some of my classes, but there wasn't a terp provided for the student in every situation. That made no sense to me.
Click to expand...

Circle seating - or semi circle seating - very good! So students can see each other as they sign and/or speak. Promotes classroom discussions as well. :)
 
Visual cues, yep!
Examples of what I use:
*word wall (with and without pictures, depending on age) for reference
*rich print environment (labeling everything in sight*
*concrete manipulatives

...
 
Hell, yes. Smartboard is a MUST for deaf kids. ;) The trick is...can the school provide it? Is it really "necessary" or a "luxury?" We had this discussion at my old school where I worked.

Guess who won? HA! Smartboard, Smartboard, Smartboard! I love Smartboards!
 
deafbajagal said:
Hell, yes. Smartboard is a MUST for deaf kids. ;) The trick is...can the school provide it? Is it really "necessary" or a "luxury?" We had this discussion at my old school where I worked.

Guess who won? HA! Smartboard, Smartboard, Smartboard! I love Smartboards!
Click to expand...

Smartboards are mandatory in our primary schools now :)
 
Some that I've seen on IEPs (Individualized Education Plans):

* Preferential seating for the student
* Teacher needs to repeat questions or comments made by students (sometimes interpreter can't hear what a kid says, or if the student lipreads, they need to see it on the teacher's lips)
* Extended testing time (as required)
* Reduction of ambient noise (if possible)
* One person speaks at a time in a discussion
* Captioned videos
* CART or C-print services


If I think of anything else, I will add.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
Circle seating. (when appropriate) Might be useful for the HoH child.
Click to expand...

Actually, I think that's how it is should be for both hearing and deaf students. It seems much more lively and stimulating when we are in a circle.
 
WTF is a smartboard?
* FM system (when appropriate)
* Soundfield sytem (when appropriate
Click to expand...
I think that FMs CAN be useful, BUT they are too often prescribed as a kneejerk "gotta have" for EVERY dhh kid. Most kids I know don't use them past jr high.
Something like circle or preferiential seating is SO much better.
 
Banjo said:
Actually, I think that's how it is should be for both hearing and deaf students. It seems much more lively and stimulating when we are in a circle.
Click to expand...

Very good point. We as teachers find that a lot of what we do to modify and accommodate students with disabilities actually help other students as well. There are some students who do not qualify for special education services, a 504 plan, or ELL services but still struggle in the regular education environment. Most of the mods and accommodations are simply good teaching practices.
 
What deafbajagal provided you, Ozzie is the correct information. Excellent technology for the kids.
 
Tables formed into a circle is a must for every deaf classes. I had that all my life and in some ways it help me and my classmates connect.

Be sure to encourage stimulating discussions about issues and whatever they want to talk about. Important to discuss the news because so many have been left in ignorance.

I don't know anything about this Smartboard but if it does work then it should be implemented in every classrooms.

FM in a deaf classroom, I believe, is redundant. More suitable for a hearing classroom if you're in one. My classmates and I hated the FM and were so happy when we were no longer forced to wear it.

Of course, visual cues is a BIG must! Same for videos and DVDs to be captioned.
 
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