Perception of deafness and integration by students without special educational needs

Abstract

Acceptance of deaf students by their hearing peers in regular classrooms is one of the
socio-affective questions which interests specialists on education of the deaf. This study
evaluates non-special educational needs students’ perception of deafness and integration
of deaf children in regular classrooms. It also explores the existence of differences depending on these students’ age. The sample is made up of 73 non-special educational needs students ranged from 4th grade of primary level to 2on grade of secondary level, from an integration private school in Barcelona. Results indicate that hearing students use
stereotyped concepts to define deafness. It shows they have problems to understand differences and similarities between them and deaf people, although evolutive changes have been noticed. On the contrary, these students show a positive perception of integration and teachers’ attitudes towards deaf children. Finally, learning process is perceived as the weakest side.