Deafness is defined as an inability to comprehend verbal language due to an inability to hear. It can cause difficulties following directions, oral expression, social skills, and language delays. Teachers of deaf students must provide accommodations like sign language and assistive technology. They should encourage participation, acceptance, and support for all students. Educating deaf students requires understanding their experiences and needs to enhance their education.

1. DEAFNESS
WHAT IT IS AND INCLUSION IN THE CLASSROOM

2. WHAT IS DEAFNESS?
• Deafness is the inability to comprehend verbal language due to an inability
to hear.
• The definition from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is “a
hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing
linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification.”
(Definition of “Deafness”)

3. DEAFNESS CHARACTERISTICS
• Difficulty following verbal directions
• Difficulty with oral expression
• Some difficulties with social/emotional or interpersonal skills
• Will often have a degree of language delay
• Often follows and rarely leads
• Will usually exhibit some form of articulation difficulty
• Can become easily frustrated if their needs are not met — which may lead to some
behavioral difficulties
• Sometimes the use of hearing aids leads to embarrassment and fear of rejection
from peers
(Watson)

4. IMPACT OF DEAFNESS
• Impact of Deafness in Inclusive Classrooms:
• Teachers are needing to identify and include deaf students in their
classroom and coursework.
• Students who are deaf need alternate forms of communication like sign
language, telecommunication devices, etc.
• Teachers need to embrace, accept, and encourage all their students to
help one another and proved good teaching style so all students can get
the best education they can.

5. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
• Encourage deaf and hard of hearing students to be involved in what they
are interested in.
• Hearing people being accepting and patient of deaf and hard of hearing
people.
• Have activities accommodated to everyone's needs whether it be deafness
or any other type of disability.
• Support all students.
• Understand what students are going through.
• Do the best you can to include every student in every activity everyday to
better their education and experience as well as your own.

6. EDUCATION FOR THE DEAF IN
SCHOOLS (DEAF EDUCATION)
0
20
40
60
80
100
Deaf Students
in Regular
School Class
All Students
with Disabilities
Placement in Regular
Classrooms
Less than 40% 40-79% 80% or more
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
All Students with Disabilities Deaf Students

7. RESOURCE WEBSITES
• American Society for Deaf Children
• http://deafchildren.org
• Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Center
• http://www.dhhsc.org
• Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Special Education (Fresno County)
• http://specialeducation.fcoe.org/deaf-hard-hearing
• National Association of the Deaf
• https://www.nad.org

8. HANDOUT

9. NOW WHAT?
• What impact do you think this service-learning project has had?
• I think that this service learning project has impacted me on my over all mind set of
life. I was living my life with bias and judgement and now that I see how pure and
accepting the students in my classroom are, I feel that I was focusing on the
negative in life and that is no way to live.
• What “next steps” would you plan if you had more time?
• The next steps that I would plan is seeing if I could have one on one time with the
students to learn about them and teach them to the best of my ability. I would also
want to go every single day if I could!
• What ways do you see yourself incorporating community service into your life in the
future?
• I see myself incorporating community service into my life in the future by volunteering
as much as I can. I think that taking the time out of the day or week to help other
people and impacting their lives is such a great feeling of gratification.

10. SOURCES
• Deaf Education Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from
https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=59
• Definition of "Deafness" Under IDEA | Resources for Parents & Teachers.
(n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2017, from
http://www.specialeducationguide.com/disability-profiles/deafness/
• Hearing loss. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2017, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/basics/risk-
factors/con-20027684
• Watson, S. (n.d.). What Can You Do to Help Deaf Kids at School? Know the
Characteristics. Retrieved March 15, 2017, from
https://www.thoughtco.com/recognizing-characteristics-of-deafness-
3110771