Deaf/Hard of Hearing in the Classroom

Deaf/hard of hearing students depend primarily on visual cues to receive the spoken word. Some use sign language interpreters or real time captioning (the spoken words scroll across a monitor or computer screen). Other students rely solely on speechreading which, at best, provides access to only 30% of spoken language.

The following speaker guidelines will improve the quality of communication for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Respond directly to the student, not to the interpreter.


• Speak clearly, but do not exaggerate mouth movements. This makes lip reading impossible.


• Avoid standing in front of windows or other light sources which create glare, making it difficult to read your lips and facial expressions.


• Pause while demonstrating so the student using speechreading can watch the demonstration without missing what is being said.


• Do not lecture while facing the board.


• If lecturing in a darkened room, i.e. during a video or power point presentation, make sure your face and the interpreter are illuminated,


• Videos and web media (YouTube, etc) must be captioned. See the DSS Info Sheet entitled “Closed Captioning.” http://www.und.edu/dept/dss/html/closed%20captioning.html


• Real time captioners will not provide in-class captioning for videos.


• Write important information (such as assignment or change in schedule) on the board.


• When another student speaks and is not in the deaf/hoh student's direct line of vision, repeat the comment or question and point or motion to show who is speaking.


• Provide a printed copy of an oral test to the student who is speechreading.


• If a student uses an interpreter to voice for her/him, questions will be answered by the student in sign language and voiced by the interpreter.


• If the interpreter, captioner, or equipment does not arrive on time, let the student know you will be starting the lecture on time.


• If the student does not attend class, the interpreter/captioner will stay up to 15 minutes before leaving.

Additional Resource: PEPNet, a national clearinghouse for resources and technical assistance that targets deaf and hard of hearing students. Online training about deaf and hard of hearing students,

Orientation to Serving College Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Online Training for Education Professionals.

The training takes approximately one hour to complete and includes a Certificate of Completion.