COVID Accessibility Strategies

Listening Options for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students When Using Technology

1. 1. Listen through the computer/iPad/Chromebook’s built-in speaker.

   2. Use headphones. Larger headphones will often fit over personal hearing technology (e.g. hearing aids). Bone conduction headphones (such as AfterShokz) may provide a better listening experience for students with conductive or mixed hearing loss. A splitter may be necessary to support access for a second listener such as a parent.

   3. Auxiliary speaker connected directly or via Bluetooth to the computer/ iPad/ Chromebook.

   4. Stream sound directly from the computer/ iPad/ Chromebook to the student's personal hearing technology using Bluetooth, when personal devices are equipped.

   5. Plug a remote microphone or Bluetooth dongle into the headphones port of the computer/ iPad/ Chromebook using a cable (both sides of the cable will look like a headphone jack).

Please note the "best option" will vary for each child based on their personal hearing devices, listening preferences, and individual circumstances. This list is not intended to be comprehensive.

Communication Strategies in the Physical Classroom

The presence of PPE (personal protective equipment) can complicate communication for everyone. Strategies to support communication may include:

• Understanding personal hearing technology (e.g. hearing aids). Personal hearing technology is designed to pick up "nearby" information (usually within 6 feet). While the processing of sounds within technology has greatly improved over time, it still has limitations in providing sound in background noise and across distance.

• Increasing visual cues. Use pictures, project key words and concepts (e.g. on a presentation slide), enable automatic captioning software when meeting virtually or within presentation mode of Google Slides. Pairing instructions/assignments in an auditory and visual format (e.g. display the page number or time that class will transition to the next topic).

• Supporting auditory information. Use a controlled rate of speech to provide ample "thinking" (decoding) time, chunk phrases and provide short pauses between topics, consider listening distance and barriers than may impede the sound.

Virtual/Online Resources

• Florida's Resource Materials and Technology Center: Deaf/Hard of Hearing (RMTC-D/HH)

• Virtual Activities for Teachers and Families COVID-19, Livebinder by Susie Tiggs

• Emergency Remote Learning Ideas and Opportunities for DHH Students

• Deaf Education Resources, Livebinder by Sarah Kiefer