Inclusive instruction and learning for deaf students in postsecondary education

Deaf students are attending mainstream post-secondary educational programs in ever-increasing numbers. Currently, 20,000 deaf and hard-of-hear-ing students are mainstreamed in approximately 2,360 postsecondary programs (Lewes et al., 1994), and the provision of support services, such as interpreters, notetakers, and tutors, has come a long way. Yet we have not systematically documented what works and does not work regarding full inclusion of this population. There is always the danger that instructors and students will perceive the presence of support services in their classes as full accommodation. ” In fact, this is only the first step. Some examples: • Deaf students using an interpreter experience