Supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students Online

The coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic led to multiple challenges across all levels of education. Many of these challenges centred around the provision of accessible and inclusive online education for people with disability. 

In July 2020, we surveyed disability practitioners from the tertiary sector to understand the impact of COVID-19 on their delivery practices, the students they support and on teaching and learning. There were 18 recommendations. These form the basis of the resulting report.

In the survey, a number of participants identified the challenges and struggles that many students who are Deaf or hard of hearing were experiencing. To address these concerns, three experienced practitioners – themselves Deaf or hard of hearing – were asked to design a webinar focusing on the online learning needs of this particular cohort of students.

The idea for these guidelines emerged from the webinar. They were developed by Joe-Anne Kek-Pamenter and was supported by an Advisory Group made up of disability practitioners from the tertiary sector who are Deaf and hard of hearing themselves.

If you are a disability practitioner, educator (e.g. teacher of the Deaf, lecturer) or student who is Deaf or hard of hearing, these guidelines have been produced for you. We encourage readers to be mindful of the ever-shifting landscape and new technologies as they emerge beyond the scope of these guidelines and recommend you explore new offerings as they come to light.

The development of these Guidelines was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.