Student working on laptop

Guide for staff

Supporting Deaf or hard of hearing students

Creating inclusive spaces for Deaf and hearing impaired students means more than just accommodating—it means actively enabling participation, communication, and belonging. Whether a student identifies as Deaf (with a capital D, often signifying cultural identity and use of British Sign Language) or is hard of hearing, their experience is unique and deserves thoughtful, tailored support.

Good Practise and inclusion

Advice on good practises and inclusive teaching.

  • Always face the student when speaking; avoid turning away or speaking while walking.

  • Speak clearly and at a natural pace—no need to exaggerate lip movements.

  • Use visual aids and write key points, names, and vocabulary on the board.

  • Provide summaries before transitioning to new topics to reinforce understanding.

  • Share handouts and slides in advance so students and interpreters, where allocated, can prepare.

  • Introduce new vocabulary with written and visual support.

  • Keep lighting consistent during presentations to aid lip-reading and visibility.

  • Use captioned or subtitled videos; avoid relying solely on transcripts unless necessary.

  • Arrange seating in a circle or horseshoe to ensure visibility for all participants.

  • Encourage turn-taking and discourage overlapping speech.

  • Ensure the BSL interpreter has a clear line of sight to both the speaker and the student.

  • Brief the group on inclusive etiquette—respectful communication benefits everyone.

Support workers such as BSL interpreters, note-takers, or captioning professionals are essential partners in inclusion.

  • Provide materials in advance so interpreters can prepare appropriate signs and terminology.

  • Discuss seating arrangements to ensure optimal positioning for interpretation.

  • Recognise that support workers are not teaching assistants—they facilitate access, not content delivery.

  • Build in natural breaks during sessions to allow interpreters time to rest and reset.

Accessibility, Disability & Inclusion

Book meeting

You can book in and speak to a Accessibility, Disability & Inclusion adviser for supporting learners on your modules.