EDSP 426: Introduction to Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Prerequisites: EDSP 361, or permission from instructor.
Cross-Listed: EDSP 526: Students enrolled in EDSP 526 will explore similar topics.
However, students will be expected to complete a detailed research paper examining
topics in Deaf Education or Deaf Culture with which they are unfamiliar with, incorporating
peer reviewed, credible sources.
Credit Hours: (3)
This course examines legislation, trends, issues, etiology, identification, characteristics,
Deaf culture, school-related needs, communication modes, educational placement options,
and organizations and agencies relevant to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing
and their families and the professionals who work with them.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
This course examines legislation, trends, issues, etiology, identification, characteristics,
Deaf culture, school related needs, communication modes, educational placement options,
and organizations and agencies relevant to individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing
and their families and the professionals who work with them. Students will explore
topics such as:
- The identification criteria of deaf and hard of hearing individuals
- Current incidence rate
- Etiologies of hearing loss
- Modes of communication for educational practices
- Deaf Culture
- Rights and responsibilities of parents, students, teachers, support personnel, and
schools
- Educational placement options
- Effects of hearing loss on language acquisition, speech, and academic achievement
- Legislative and judicial mandates involving deaf and hard of hearing individuals
Students enrolled in EDSP 526 will explore similar topics. However, students will
be expected to complete a detailed research paper examining topics in Deaf Education
or Deaf Culture with which they are unfamiliar.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
Students will develop an understanding of the diverse aspects of deaf and hard of
individuals, including children, through direct instruction, demonstrations, cooperative/group
learning activities, case studies, and student presentations.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Goals, objectives, and assignments in this class address the Council for Exceptional
Children (CEC) Initial Preparation Standards and related Knowledge and Skill Items,
as well as the Virginia Department of Education competencies and requirements for
preparing educators.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify the anatomy of speech structures, auditory and visual mechanisms, production,
transmission, and psychophysical characteristics of sound and general and specific
effects of having partial or no hearing on production and reception of speech and
on English language development.
- State the characteristics, incidence and prevalence figures of individuals who are
deaf or hard of hearing.
- Describe the etiologies of hearing impairment including those that can cause additional
sensory, motor and/or learning difficulties for deaf/hard of hearing students.
- Summarize the effects of the interrelationship among onset of hearing loss, age of
identification, and provision of services on the development of the individuals who
are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Analyze the characteristics of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing including
sociocultural influences and possible health-related or genetically-related problems.
- Explain the development of American Deaf culture and its continued influence in the
Deaf Community.
- Describe the influence of experience and educational placement on all developmental
domains.
- Describe the influence of family communication and culture on all developmental domains.
- Summarize the importance of providing ongoing opportunities for interaction between
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing with diverse populations using assistive
technology, i.e. peers and role models who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as
hearing peers/role models of like and different cultures.
- Compare and contrast spoken and visual language modes including cued speech, speechreading,
verbal communication, listening and sign language (American Sign Language-ASL, Conceptually
Accurate Signed English-CASE, Seeing Essential English-SEE 1, Signing Exact English).
- List professional resources, organizations, services and networks that support or
are relevant to the field of education of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Describe the importance for providing families with support to make informed choices
regarding communication modes, philosophies, and educational options
- Identify career and vocational aspects of individuals with disabilities, including
persons with hearing impairments in society.
Assessment Measures
Assessment measures may include, but are not limited to:
- presentations
- individual or group projects
- quizzes and/or exams
- written essays or reports
Other Course Information
This course is cross-listed with EDSP 526.
Graduate Credit: Students enrolled in EDSP 526 will explore similar topics. However,
students will be expected to complete a detailed research paper examining topics in
Deaf Education or Deaf Culture with which they are unfamiliar.
Review and Approval
Revised 2013
Revised April, 2009
Revised by Karen Stinson, 2019
March 9, 2024