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EFFECTIVE ACCOMMODATIONS IN EDUCATION

Medical Equipment on Desk

We talk about accommodations in health, but often institutions don't think of accommodations in health education! Recently, there has been a marked increase in deaf/deafblind individuals attending schools for medical training. Below are very helpful resources to empower your institution to make medical education accessible for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind students.

MAKING MED SCHOOL ACCESSIBLE

There is not a one size fits all answer for accessibility in med school. Every D/HH student has a unique set of needs, and a unique style of communication. Some require very little in the way of accessibility, and some require significant access provisions. The best way to meet the student's needs is to ask what their needs are and how your school can meet them. Those needs may change as time goes on, but this effort creates an accessible environment for your students, and that attention to their needs keeps your school in compliance with the ADA. Remember if a Hearing student is provided with a free device (ie: stethoscope) legally, a D/HH student has to be given a free accessible one. If a Hearing student has certain responsibilities or activities, the Deaf student must have the same responsibilities and activities. In an equitable school environment, everything must be equitable. There are some incredible resources for this information! Check out these links below:

Accommodations in Health Education

Navigating Accommodations in Medical and Clinical Settings

SUGGESTIONS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS

  1. Use of sign Language Interpreters (consistent interpreters with medical competency is ideal).
  2. Real Time Captioning in the classroom/surgical theater whether or not you have an interpreter present.
  3. Speech-to-Text Apps (Automated Speech Recognition/ASR Apps) for basic conversation (not ideal for complicated terminology).
  4. Provision of a Digital Stethoscope
  5. Provision of Clear Masks
  6. Use of Captioned Glasses (Limited success in complicated conversations)
  7. Boogie Board or Dry Erase Board 

TECHNOLOGY USED BY MED SCHOOLS
& WORKING DEAF  DOCTORS

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