Supporting deaf learners using visual modes of communication within mainstream schools to access the curriculum

Many deaf learners are geographically dispersed and many attend local mainstream classes, which can result in linguistic isolation with little access to natural visual language models. There is concern that they don’t always have adequate access to the curriculum because of their communication needs. The Ministry commissioned this report from Fitzgerald and Associates to understand their communication needs and current provision of services, whether different services might better meet their needs and how current services might be reconfigured. This report informs ongoing work on improving access to education for deaf learners.