If you had a student in your class that is DeafBlind meaning they have a combination of vision and hearing loss affects gain information visually and auditorily how do you think you could accommodate that studen? I am myself DeafBlind and fall in to this category. I am totally blind and have mild to moderate hearing loss and have hearing aids for both ears. you may also ask me questions about deafBlindness.
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I think that the first thing that I would do would be to have a meeting with the student and their parents or guardians and anyone else that is deemed important in their IEP. I would conference with the student to get an idea of what modes of communication are best (do they know and use ASL, do they have an interpreter, are they verbal, etc.). I would of course go over the IEP and see what that says and then clarify any questions I have with the student for clarification. I would discuss my typical routine that I would have when teaching and then ask the student for any help as to how to accommodate my lessons or worksheets for the student. I would also go over any technology or aides that they have so that I know how they work and how to accommodate them. I think that the thing that I would do the most is ask the student what I can do better to accommodate them in my classroom and allow them to succeed in my classroom. Additionally, I would ask them if there was anything that their previous professors did that they liked or didn’t like and would possibly consider talking to their previous professors to get an idea of what the process is like with that student.
ReplyDeleteP.S. When and how did you learn to read braille?
Asking the student is important because everyone has different needs. I began learning braille at age 3. I had some vision as a child but never enough to read print. My mother erknows braille and helped teach me at home. I also had a teacher of the blind and visually impaired that pulled me out of the classroom for braille instruction. Now, my Mom can still do some braille which is occasionally helpful.
ReplyDeleteThat's so cool! I didn't know that your mom knew braille too.
DeleteYep, but she's slow. Lol. Now my best friend from home knows braille and a little bit of sign language and is sighted and hearing but can read braille by touch and can understand sign visually and tactually.
ReplyDeleteI would accommodate with the parents and the student in a IEP meeting (discussing information, having snacks, and conversation). Then I will comfort and make sure that student is getting a great education. I want to make to feel like the student has all the power and control in their education. I would make sure they have everything they need in the classroom that can be accessible to the student. I believe it's so important that everyone gets the right and quality education that they need to succeed their goals or their future.
ReplyDeleteI would definitely have to pay very close attention to the child's IEP. I would follow it closely and accurately. I think following a child's IEP and being sure to go over with the child's parent(s) is vital to a student's success in any case. I believe it would be very important for students who are deaf and blind to have some sort of daily communication between all of the professionals (or parents) in the student's life. This could be kept electronically, or through some sort of journal that goes back and forth with the child. I would love more input and idea, though. I have only taken SED 104 where we had a couple hours focusing on this subject, but nearly enough to truly understand all the ways I can accommodate. One last thought I have is to provide more hands on activities where students can literally hold something and experiment with it as we learn.
ReplyDeleteI'm with everyone on this subject, definitely utilizing the student's needs and wants for learning, the parents' view on learning, and IEP. Danielle I believe it was the 1st or 2nd day of class, it was interesting to see you hold the hands of your assistant while she signed. Do you learn better that way? What do you get from that experience?
ReplyDeleteSeveral others have mentioned paying close attention to the student’s IEP, I strongly believe that it is important but I also strongly believe that receiving background knowledge about teaching students who are deaf-blind. I feel in order to teach a student with any need for accommodations you really need to understand what would work best for your students and how they learn. I would first try to reach out to another teacher who has taught a deaf-blind student to get the teacher’s point of view and strategies. Then I would speak with the parents because they know their child best! I’m sure I will also learn through trial and error but I plan on being open for a change when needed in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteTo be completely honest, I have no idea what type of specific things I would do to help accommodate the DeafBlind student. But, I felt the same way when I first started learning about the Deaf community. Not knowing what I would really do in the situation of someone who is Deaf. So, like the Deaf community, I am 110% willing to learn about all the things I can, and should, do to accommodate for a DeafBlind student.
ReplyDeleteBut, I assume, similar to the Deaf community, individuals who are DeafBlind, I would just keep them informed. That is one main thing I have learned from all of my Deaf Studies and ASL classes is, just like anyone on this Earth, they want to be informed.
I'm sorry I don't have a better answer than that.. I wish I knew exactly what I would do in that situation, but I don't.
Danielle, I wonder if you would be willing to share some strategies that are most helpful to you. I know you're interested in other students thoughts and ideas which is great. But what are some accommodations that are most helpful to you.
ReplyDeleteI've seen some pretty good ideas. To answer Colleen's question since I have no vision I have to use tactile when signing. I am in the process of learning ASL both personally and for my major. When working with DeafBlind students some things to consider before you get in to strategies is how much the student uses hearing and or vision. DeafBlind means a wide variety of combinations of vision and hearing loss. Some Gfghlind people use their hearing and not their vision or the other way around. The one sense that is truly available to a DeafBlind student is touch. Touch is very important in DeafBlind culture. So, when you think about teaching I suggest thinking about how you can make your materials tactile. Making pictures, diagrams, etc tactile so that a DeafBlind student has full access to the same things. You
ReplyDeleteIEP is a big part in this situation, and making accommodations seems like a decision for more than just the teacher. I know the student would need an interpreter but you really need to focus on the student's individual needs. I'm really not sure what to do to accommodate the student so if I ever have a DeafBlind student in my class, I'll definitely take suggestions from those involved (IEP Team?)
ReplyDeleteAs most students have commented, a student's IEP is very important. A teacher must be familiar and aware with what that child is needing. I honestly have no idea what I could do to meet the need of this learner. I think making pictures and diagrams tactile is a great idea, I would have not thought much of that. I am needing a lot of improvement in learning how I can benefit this type of student.
ReplyDeleteAs a future educator, if I were to have a deaf/blind student in my classroom I would reach out to other reasources to ensure that the student recieved the best possible education. As a DHH teacher I feel like I would have an understanding of how to accomodate the childs needs in that aspect; however, I believe I would need to confind in another teacher who is more educated in regards to blind education. I would also look for educational reasources such as books, websites, etc., to have a better understanding of how to create the best learning environment for the student, as well as the best possible way to provide the student with assignments and assessments.
ReplyDeleteAs an educator, I would absolutely have a meeting with the student prior to having them in my classroom. During this meeting, I would discuss the severity of vision and hearing impairments, and what accommodations I could implement to fit their needs in the classroom as well as how they prefer to turn in assignments and assessments. I would look into other resources online to help myself better understand and prepare the classroom in ways it should be needed. From a personal standpoint, I have no experience when it comes to working with someone who is deafblind. With a open mind and positive attitude, I believe it could be a good learning experience for myself as a teacher, as well as the other students in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteLike many others have stated, I believe an IEP is a vitally important part of meeting the child's individual wants and needs. As an educator, I would begin by reaching out to fellow educators who have had experience teaching a student who is DeafBlind. While learning from others’ experiences would be helpful, it is important to remember all children are different; this is why it is necessary to develop a relationship with the student and the guardians. In doing so, I would be able to use strategies and activities that were most suitable for the child’s learning experience. Personally, I have no experience interacting with an individual who is DeafBlind. Meanwhile, being in this course and having the opportunity to interact with you, Danielle, has been very impactful learning from someone with a personal experience.
ReplyDeleteUpon meeting a student who is deaf/blind I would want to have a meeting with the student and their parents to discuss about what their parents goals are for the student and the wants and needs from the student themselves. I would probably test a few different strategies as far as turning in work because everyone is different and one strategy might be better than the another. I am sure after a few weeks of plenty trial and error we would get it down and make an excellent learning environment for the student.
ReplyDeleteAs an educator I would want to make my student feel as comfortable in my classroom and around me as possible. I would of course use the students IEP and other resources to accommodate the students needs. I would ask the student themselves what works best for them so I can provide the best learning experience for my student. I would also reach out the the parent/guardian and ask for tips and suggestions to help my student.
ReplyDeleteFirst off it would depend on the student. If the student has already placed a form of communication that has been working and would like to use it within the classroom I would allow it. If they have not established an effective way of communicating or learning then I would do my best to help establish one. That could be the location that they sit in the room, give them the work ahead of time, and also help them set up meetings with a professional that has more knowledge on how to communicate and to learn.
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