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Previous Seminars Reviewed

BRITE Seminar in review: Assessing the Needs of Deaf Students and Creating Deaf-friendly Learning Environments

Did you know that BRITE can deliver seminars in your own institution? All we ask is that half of the places on the seminar are made available to staff from other Scottish FE colleges and that a suitable venue and refreshments are provided.

Following a request for on-site staff development looking at supporting deaf* students from one of our BRITE Links at Forth Valley College, we developed two seminars looking both at assessment of support needs and at creating more inclusive learning environments. We were very grateful to our guest presenters Rachel O’Neill and Joe O’Donnell who were able to offer expert practitioner input and advice.

Rachel, who is based in the Scottish Sensory Centre and is a lecturer in Deaf Education at Edinburgh University, led the first session. The presentation gave a comprehensive overview of the complex process of assessment. Rachel described a deaf student’s journey through FE and explored the range of access arrangements. Participants had the opportunity to evaluate the NATED assessment pack and enjoyed a lively group task looking at several case studies. The group also found out about training opportunities for those who wish to further develop their skills in this area.

Donaldson’s Educational Audiologist, Joe O’Donnell, rounded off the morning session with an explanation of how to interpret audiological information, including a very welcome demystification of the audiogram! Joe also led the afternoon session which looked at how to create a more ‘deaf-friendly’ environment. He explained the challenges that a college setting can present for a student using hearing aids or a cochlear implant. The group also learned about the different kinds of listening technology available to assist hearing aid users, including different radio aids and loop systems.

Kellie Mote, one of BRITE’s Assistive Technology Development and Information Officers, closed the day with a look at resources, including online guides explaining support options to deaf students and a guide to best practice for college staff. She then went on to explore some visual learning resources which may be helpful to deaf learners including: mind mapping, multimedia delivery and using symbols and images in learning materials. Symbol-based software – which can include images relating to BSL – has a number of potential uses when teaching literacy to deaf students, e.g. to create highly visual worksheets, interactive literacy tasks.

* For the purposes of this review, the word deaf should be taken to include Deaf Sign Language users, deafened, deafblind and hard of hearing people.

Useful Links

FACE (Furthering Access to College Education) for Deaf Students
www.facefordeafstudents.org.uk

Donaldson’s
www.donaldsons.org.uk

Scottish Sensory Centre
www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk

NATED (National Association for Tertiary Education for Deaf People)
www.nated.org

Widgit (symbol-based software, including Let’s Sign and Write)
www.widgit.com