Having Access to Learning

It is a given fact that every child has the right to learn. When it comes to DHH students though, access to learning is a huge obstacle to overcome. Does the student have the knowledge and ability to communicate in the class? What are teachers suppose to be doing for these students? Does the classroom environment support DHH students? Do peers engage with DHH students? How isolated is the DHH individual in your classroom? The presentation by Dr. Debra Russell outlines the features needed in a classroom to ensure that the DHH student's linguistic and academic needs are met. You will also find the rights and responbilities of DHH students and educators in Saskatchewan below.

Rights and Responsibilities to Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Saskatchewan

Disability:

A disability is defined as “any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, includes… deafness or hearing impediment” (Government of Saskatchewan, 2015).

Discrimination:

“Discrimination is any act, behavior, or practice, which may be intentional or unintentional, that has the purpose or effect of imposing burdens, obligations, disadvantages, or preferences on a person or class of persons based on any of the prohibited grounds set out in The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code” (Saskatchewan Polytechnic, 2016).

Rights of Students:

All students have a right to education. As outlined in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, “Every person and every class of persons shall enjoy the right to education in any school, college, university or other institution or place of learning, vocational training or apprenticeship without discrimination on the basis of a prohibited ground other than age” (Government of Saskatchewan, 2015).

Responsibilities:

It is the responsibilities of school, administration, and teachers to provide deaf and hard of hearing students with an equal opportunity in education by not discriminating against those with a disability. This is accomplished through accommodations, services, or facilities based on the student’s specific needs. As described in the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code that no person shall “discriminate against any person or class of persons with respect to the accommodation, services or facilities to which the public is customarily admitted or that are offered to the public (Government of Saskatchewan, 2015).