![Paper with red stamp that says, "Qualified"]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1646424788/fdlrsorg/s4rezukd8qgvp1orwtgl/CareersWebpage1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1646424788/fdlrsorg/s4rezukd8qgvp1orwtgl/CareersWebpage1.png","width":500}])
Finding qualified providers for students who are deaf/hard of hearing (DHH) can be challenging. These providers are few and far between and can sometimes seem non-existent. Yet, they are integral to the success of students who are D/HH. NASDSE (2018, p. 3) states, “Without qualified staff and appropriate support services, the ability of children [who are DHH] to achieve appropriate outcomes is jeopardized.” In some instances, lack of qualified personnel may lead to cases where the provision of a free appropriate public education (FAPE) is disputed.
How do districts and schools find these highly-specialized professionals in the midst of a field experiencing a critical shortage?” Grow them!
Districts may need to think outside the box when recruiting and retaining qualified personnel to support students who are DHH. This could include providing additional training to existing district staff to improve their qualifications, knowledge, and abilities to serve students who are DHH. In some instances, specific general education teachers or exceptional student education (ESE) teachers are regularly assigned students who are DHH because their teaching style meets the needs of these students or they have a willingness to try new strategies for the betterment of all students. Teachers like these could receive training and professional development to become a certified teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing. This allows the teacher to stay in their current general education role but be better prepared to support the needs of students who are D/HH, and consequently ALL students. In other situations, there may be speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who have never worked with students who are DHH. Professional Learning Through Partners such as the Central Institute for the Deaf (CID), Florida Educators of Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (FEDHH), or other providers may help that SLP become a qualified specialist to support the unique communicative needs of students who are DHH. There are a plethora of professional learning resources available designed to optimize the outcomes of students who are deaf or hard of hearing with the ultimate goal to graduate all students life, college, and career ready.
Need professional learning ideas? Check out RMTC-DHH’s training webpage.