The Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Ireland

ncses?
An Chomhairle NSisiunta um Oideachas Speisialta
National Council for Special Education
The Education
of Deaf and
Hard of Hearing Children
in Ireland
NCSE POLICY ADVICE PAPER
NCSE POLICY ADVICE PAPER
he Education of Dea
and Hard of Hearing
November 2011
ncses?
An Chomhairle №isiunta um Oideachas Speisialta
National Council for Special Education
© NCSE 2011
National Council for Special Education
1-2 Mill Street
Trim
Co. Meath
An Chomhairle Naisiunta um Oideachas Speisialta
1-2 Sraid an Mhuilinn
Baile Atha Troim
Co. na M^
T: 046 948 6400
F: 046 948 6404
www.ncse.ie
Contents

NCSE POLICY ADVICE PAPER 3
Contents iii
Index of tables ix
Foreword xiv
Abbreviations xv
Executive Summary 3
Introduction 3
Findings of Relevant Research Studies and Policy Documentation 3
NCSE Policy Advice 4
Acquisition of language 6
Visiting Teacher Service 7
Educational models 7
Bi-lingual education 8
Placement of pupils 8
Acquisition of literacy and numeracy 8
Additional teaching support for Deaf and hard of hearing children 9
Focus on outcomes and the monitoring of pupil progress 9
Professional development for teachers of children who are Deaf and hard of hearing 10
National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) 11
Special needs assistants 11
Development of co-operative structures 11
Implications of Policy Advice for the Resources of the State 11
1Introduction 15
1.1Context 15
1.2National Council for Special Education 16
1.3Structure of the Policy Advice Paper 18
2Current Policy and Provision for the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in Ireland 21
2.1Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children 21
2.2Prevalence of Deafness and Hearing Loss 21
2.3Current Department of Education and Skills Policy 22
2.3.1Inclusive education 22
2.3.2Continuum of provision 23
2.4Current Provision: Education Supports 23
2.4.1Early intervention 23
2.4.2Visiting Teacher Service 24
2.4.3School-based supports for pupils who are Deaf and hard of hearing 27
(a)Special schools for Deaf and hard of hearing pupils 27
(b)Special classes for Deaf and hard of hearing pupils 27
Learning support/resource teaching 28
Individual Allocation of Additional Teaching Support 28
Additional teaching support sanctioned by the NCSE 29
Access to SNA support 29
2.4.4Additional supports 30
National Council for Special Education 30
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) 30
Irish Sign Language (ISL) Support Scheme 31
Assistive technology 31
Special transport provision 32
2.4.5Continuing professional development (CPD) for teachers 32
Special Education Support Service 32
Postgraduate programmes in special education 33
Postgraduate programmes in Deaf education 34
2.5Current Provision: Health Funded Supports 34
2.5.1Identification and assessment 34
2.5.2Primary care and specialist disability supports 35
Primary care teams 35
Specialist disability services for children and young people 35
2.5.3Audiology 36
2.5.4Universal newborn hearing screening 37
2.5.5Cochlear implantation 37
2.5.6Speech and language therapy 38
3Examination and Interpretation of the Findings of Relevant Research Studies and Other Policy Documentation 41
3.1Early Identification 41
3.2Early Intervention Programmes 41
3.3Cochlear Implant Programmes 42
3.4Educational Models 42
3.5Bilingual Education 43
3.6Acquisition of Literacy and Numeracy 43
3.7Teaching Support for Children with Mild Hearing Loss 44
3.8Children with Additional Disabilities 45
3.9Professional Development for Teachers of Children who are Deaf and Hard Of Hearing 45
3.10Physical Supports Required in the Classroom 46
3.11Role of the Special Needs Assistant 46
3.12Development of Co-operative Structures 47
4NCSE Policy Advice 49
4.1Principles Underpinning Policy Advice 49
4.2Main Recommendations 49
4.2.1 Early intervention 49
(a)Early identification 49
(b)Early intervention programmes 50
(c)Acquisition of language 52
4.2.2Visiting Teacher Service 53
4.2.3Recommendations: school age years 56
(a) Educational models 56
(b) Bilingual education 57
4.2.4Placement of pupils 58
4.2.5Acquisition of literacy and numeracy 60
4.2.6Additional teaching supports for Deaf and hard of hearing children 60
4.2.7Focus on outcomes and monitoring of pupils' progress 61
4.2.8Professional development for teachers of children who are Deaf and hard of hearing 62
4.2.9National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) 66
4.2.10Role of the special needs assistant (SNA) 66
4.2.11Development of co-operative structures 67
5Implications of Policy Advice for the Resources of the State and Consideration of the Practical Implementation of Recommendations 69
5.1 Introduction 69
5.2Health Funded Supports 69
(a)Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) 69
(b)Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme 70
(c)Speech and language therapy 70
(d)Cochlear implant programme 71
(e)Audiological services 71
5.3Education Funded Supports 71
(a)ISL Support Scheme 71
(b)ISL grant scheme to schools to provide sign language instruction for the hearing children in a class where a sign language user is enrolled 72
(c)Bilingual education 72
(d)Resourcing of mainstream schools to facilitate the education of pupils who use sign language as their sole means of communication. 72
(e)Use of ISL interpreters at parent meetings 73
5.4Visiting Teacher Service 73
5.5School Age Years: Educational Models 74
(a) Clustered special classes for Deaf and hard of hearing children 74
(b) Temporary education intervention in specialist settings 74
5.6Professional Development for Teachers of Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing 75
(a) Postgraduate programme in the education of Deaf and hard of hearing children 75
(b) Continuing professional development (CPD) provided by the SESS 76
1.Seminars to schools provided by a team of SESS local facilitators with specialist expertise in Deaf education 76
2.Funding for whole-staff training in Irish Sign Language 76
3.Introductory (one day) course for teachers of Deaf and hard of hearing children 77
Appendices 83
Appendix 1: Legal Context 83
Education Act 1998 83
Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004 83
The Disability Act 2005 84
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 84
Appendix 2: Signature Levels 86
Signature 86
References 86

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