Inclusion of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Saudi Arabia: A Study of the Perceptions of Teachers

Am Ann Deaf. 2023;168(4):137-156. doi: 10.1353/aad.2023.a922848.ABSTRACTThe researchers investigated how teachers perceive the inclusion of deaf and hard of hearing (D/hh) students in mainstream classrooms in Saudi Arabia. They also examined how teachers' perception of this inclusion is influenced by their position (as a teacher in special or mainstream education). The researchers collected 196 teacher responses using an existing online survey (partly open-ended). They found that, overall, teachers in Saudi Arabia had slightly negative perceptions of teaching D/hh students in mainstream classrooms. But their teaching position did not seem to influence their perceptions. The researchers recommend that efforts be made to reduce negative perceptions of inclusion as a teaching practice in Saudi Arabia. Teachers working with D/hh children in mainstream schools should receive enough training to work successfully with these students. Awareness should be raised of inclusion's benefits and how inclusion differs from mainstream education.PMID:38588094 | DOI:10.1353/aad.2023.a922848
Source: American Annals of the Deaf - Category: Audiology Authors: Source Type: research