EDUCATION FOR HEARING IMPAIRED/VISUALLY IMPAIRED INTEGRATION OR SEGREGATION

Local Schools Advantages:   A shorter day, less travelling involved so more time at home The child is educated alongside peers from his own area/road There is full exposure to normal speech and language Access to the full curriculum Normalisation Less isolating for both parents and children Children grow up as part of the local community Exposure for other children to peers with sensory impairments.

Disadvantages:   The child may not have contact with other children who have visual/hearing impairments The child is under pressure always to have to watch and listen The teacher may not have any training or skills regarding language development for hearing/visual impairment There is extra responsibility on the teacher who may already be overloaded Acoustics may not always be conducive to learning There may be extra difficulties in subjects where there is a high language content/visual materials.

Special schools Advantages: Specialist staff, facilities and equipment Smaller classes The teacher will have more knowledge of hearing/visual impairment and how it affects development Children are with other sensory impaired children so there is a greater understanding of each other. Sign language/Braille is part of the everyday environment of the school and so children learn it naturally.

Disadvantages:   Lack of exposure to normal speech and language in a school for hearing impairment Concentration on language development/Braille may lead to a more limited curriculum The day may be long or children may have to travel a distance to and from school Children may not develop relationships with peers in their local area Small classes may lead to a less stimulating environment