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Challenges of teaching the deaf-blind learner in an education setting in Johannesburg: Experiences of educators and
Tejal Manga1, Khetsiwe P Masuku
1Speech Pathology, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; and Speech Pathology and Audiology Department, Tembisa Hospital, Johannesburg. tejal.manga19@gmail.com.
Background:
Evidence suggests that educators of deaf-blind students in the South African context have specific challenges in the educational setting because of their lack of adequate knowledge on deaf-blindness and a lack of sufficient training on communication, teaching and learning strategies.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to describe the challenges experienced by educators and assistant educators of children with deaf-blindness.
Method:
Ten educators and assistant educators were selected purposively to participate in the study (Male = 3; Female = 7; age range 31-49 years). Participants were recruited from a school for the deaf-blind in Johannesburg. Participants completed semi-structured interviews on the challenges that they experienced when educating learners who are deaf-blind.
Results:
Findings from the data after inductive thematic analysis suggested the following: (1) under-preparedness of educators and assistant educators, (2) communication challenges, (3) challenges related to the diversity of deaf-blind learners and (4) lack of support structures for educators and assistant educators.
Conclusion:
There is a need for ongoing educator training on communication strategies, cultural diversity and inclusive strategies. A collaborative model of delivering training and inclusive education that will encompass educators and therapists as a means of supporting both the educator and the learner who is deaf and blind is needed. Such a collaboration may result in positive outcomes for both the educator and the deaf-blind learner.