Accommodations for Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Instructional Accommodations:
- Give the student a copy of notes – or bullet points before lecture. (Provide a reliable real time Note Taker.)
- When transitioning topics, please provide a visual clue.
- Use of visual supplements (overheads, chalkboard, charts, vocabulary lists, lecture outlines).
- Closed captioning whenever possible; if available, provide transcripts of audio information.
- Announcements/ Information from loudspeakers printed out.
- Films, overheads, diagrams, and other visual aids are useful instructional tools. Spoken dialogue and commentary in films, videotapes, DVDs, and online course websites, should either be presented in captions or other alternate means such as a transcript.
- Allow extra time for processing information
- Check for understanding of information
- Down time / break from listening
- Extra time to complete assignments
- Copy of notes – bullet points before lecture
- Closed captioning whenever possible. If possible, provide transcripts of audio information.
- Preferential seating away from door, air conditioner, or hard surfaces.
- Visuals accompanying lecture
- Sign language interpreters
- Assistive listening devices (i.e. microphones, headsets, speakers)
- Personal hearing device (hearing aid, cochlear implant, tactile device)
- Personal FM system (hearing aid + FM)
- FM system/auditory trainer (without personal hearing aid)
- Walkman-style FM system
- Sound-field FM system
- Preferential seating away from door, air conditioner, hard surfaces, or talkative students
- Noise reduction (carpet & other sound absorption materials)
- For the lecture setting, keep front seats open for students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and their interpreters.
- Specialized seating arrangements: circular seating arrangements offer students the advantage of seeing all class participants.
- Reduce auditory distractions (background noise)
- Reduce visual distractions
