Creating Inclusive Virtual Learning Environments for Deaf Students

The pandemic brought about a mandatory shift to online and virtual activities. Many entities were not prepared, nor did they have experience providing quality and equitable access services. The learning curve was steep for many.

When teaching online, instructors have an important role in supporting and ensuring the success of students—especially deaf students. There are many factors that should be taken into consideration to ensure that deaf students have an equitable experience with their classmates. This webinar offers tips to take into consideration when designing online courses and virtual campus activities. Participants learn how to integrate accommodations into virtual learning environments as well as inclusive student engagement practices to help reduce or remove barriers.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every situation, yet quality assurance measures need to be in place to ensure that all students can access information equally with their peers. Accommodations are only part of creating an accessible virtual engagement. The National Deaf Center also shares general strategies for hosting effective online engagement that can be integrated with advance planning.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe at least two features of accessible virtual learning environments.
2. Construct at least one learning activity that increases deaf students’ ability to engage and interact equitably with peers and faculty.
3. Formulate two to three universal design or inclusive practices for creating equitable learning opportunities for all students.

Learners will have the option to earn a certificate of attendance or a certificate with CEUs upon completion of the webinar. To earn a certificate with CEUs, the learner must successfully pass the learning assessment with a score of 80% or higher. All learners must complete the webinar evaluation to earn credentials. 

The duration of this webinar is one hour, which equates to 0.1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU).