Hearing Impairments

Request and encourage student input on how to best accommodate the student's learning needs.

Provide a sign language interpreter, real-time captioning, and/or an FM system.

Provide access to an open- or closed-captioned film.

Use visual aids to explain concepts to the student.

Face students with hearing impairments so that they can see your lips. Speak clearly. Repeat questions or comments from others.

Allow flexible seating to provide a clear view of a sign language interpreter, lip reading, visual aids, and demonstrations.

Give assignments, lab instructions, and demonstration summaries in writing.

Provide class assignments ahead of time in electronic format. Avoid last-minute additions to assignments.

Consider providing a note taker.

Consider the needs of students with disabilities during lab orientation and lab safety meetings.

Assign group activities in which all students take responsibility and contribute according to their abilities.

Use multiple formats—oral, written, visual, tactile, electronic—for instruction and demonstrations.

For general information about accommodations for students with disabilities in science classes, consult Working Together: Science Teachers and Students with Disabilities and The Winning Equation: Access + Attitude = Success in Math and Science.

For additional information, consult the AccessSTEM Knowledge Base.