Okay lovely people, it’s National Deaf Awareness week! I’ve lived with a deaf parent for 21 years now, and here are some common misconceptions and unknown things about deafness that I’ve found. As teachers, it is crucial for us to be all-inclusive! Here’s my mum:

1. In a time where deaf people are even further isolated by mask-wearing (even if it is for health and safety), it is important that when communicating with a deaf person, you do remove your mask! There have been many instances of me explaining to a shop assistant that my mum is

2. Deaf, and the assistant has continued speaking to me, leaving me to translate for my mum. This is no issue for me, but what if my mum was alone? It’s so important to be all-inclusive; and this in itself is very rude!

3. Speaking of communication, the most basic things you can do are:
-Make direct eye contact
-Enunciate your words, even if it feels dramatic!
-Use body language and facial expressions to convey the tone of at you are saying. Are you happy? Annoyed? Serious?

4. In the classroom, when talking to a hearing impaired or deaf student, physically move your body to be on their level, and open up your body language. Make it clear that you are talking to them, and seat them somewhere they are able to see what their classmates are saying too.

5. Quite importantly, there are only a finite amount of words in the British Sign Language dictionary. This means that if your deaf student has learned to speak from signing, there may be a lack of understanding of instructions and content material.

6. This means that instructions and any background information needs to be presented in a way that makes the most sense to your student- ask them what works best! For my mum for example, there needs to be a physical demonstration with my hands for her to understand instructions.

7. Moreover, there may be a more noticeable lack of cultural capital among deaf students. This is because reading, and understanding complex written words, is harder to decipher than it would be for someone who is hearing. Sign language sentences are also structured differently,

8. and to many of them it will be like learning to understand a different language.

9. Lack of spatial awareness is a common side effect of deafness, and therefore the person many misjudge the amount of space they have, or not know when someone is behind them. For a deaf student, seat them at the end of a row close to the front.

10. Moreover, if the student is alone in the room before you walk in, stamp your feet as you walk, or flash the lights on and off to alert them to your presence. It can be quite the scare seeing you unexpectedly! Make sure to get their attention beforehand.

11. Learn some basic sign language! If people like I will upload some videos of the basics, which is guaranteed to put a smile on your student’s face/s. Showing that you’ve made the effort will make the world of difference.

12. When making resources, use pictures as much as possible, and lay info out clearly. Flowcharts, tables, storyboards and cartoons will be your friends here! If anyone would like to see some deaf-friendly resources give me a shout!