Hearing Impairment

Michael is a Deaf school leaver. He will attend university for tertiary study. He is not able to use a hearing aid or telephone and does not speak. He communicates in Auslan.

He has been using a computer for some years and is familiar with computer technology.  He has a portable TTY.

As there are no other Deaf students attending his course one of his main problems will be isolation as it will be difficult for other students as well as staff to communicate with him.

The Disability Liaison Officer has arranged for him to have an Auslan interpreter at key lectures and for a certain number of hours each week. He has requested that lecture notes be provided in print form as he will not be able to watch the interpreter and take notes simultaneously.

In lectures the interpreter will translate everything that the lecturer says as well as comments or questions from other students. It will be necessary to place the interpreter in a position where they can be clearly seen by Michael at all times.

Lecturers will be made aware that Michael will address them through the interpreter who will "voice" what he is signing. Lecturers should look at Michael when speaking to him not the interpreter. The interpreter will not explain what is being said - they will translate everything that is said into Auslan. Michael will access the library by TTY via the National Relay Service if he needs to seek information. The Disability Officer will make librarians aware that Michael is not able to communicate with them orally and advise them of appropriate strategies to use. Michael may use written notes when making requests for assistance.

A special orientation tour of the library will be arranged, taking care to supply Michael with supplementary written information as well as diagrams to ensure that he is aware of how to access library services.

If there are other Deaf people on campus or if there is a Deaf Support Group, the Disability Officer will put Michael in contact with them so that he can make friends and participate in social activities. Other students in his course may express an interest in learning some Auslan skills in order to communicate with Michael. They will be given information about the availability of Auslan courses.