Presentation by Ernst D. Thoutenhoofd and Beppie van den Bogaerde at the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Conference 2010, Vienna, 14–16 July 2010.

1. The sociopolitics of access Deaf students in Dutch higher education Ernst D. Thoutenhoofd, University of Groningen Beppie van den Bogaerde, Hogeschool Utrecht Paper presented at Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) 2010 Conference Vienna, Austria 14-16 July 2010 In collaboration with: Expertisecentrum handicap + studie Signo Ergo Sum | Jongerencommissie

4. Deaf/hoh students themselves discussed access in terms of empowerment . They called for improvements in the FE/HE support infrastructure. SESposium, Amsterdam, January 2010

5. Earlier study: Scotland (2005) An earlier study focussed on the linguistic nature of deaf/hoh access needs and support. It called for the establishment of a national expertise centre for linguistic access. The centre would benefit a diverse range of students including also dyslexic, foreign, and ethnic minority students. (Brennan, Grimes and Thoutenhoofd 2005)

12. Interpreter bookings 2010 The table shows the educational users of Tolknet. 46 deaf/hoh persons booked interpreters for higher education study in jan-june 2010. type of education number Primary education 7 Secondary education 20 MBO (intermediate vocational education) 48 Lifelong learning or Placement 26 Higher education 46 Unknown 15 Total 162

17. Course adaptations

18. Assessment adaptations

19. Human and material support

20. Technical and general support

22. Social acceptance & motivation

23. Conclusions The following conclusions can be drawn from this initial survey. There is cause to suppose considerable under-participation of deaf/hoh students in dutch FE/HE. Deaf/hoh students get general support, but wish for specific support. With respect to assessments, deaf/hoh students benefit from adjustments already in place for dyslectic students (e.g. extra time, adapted assignments). Deaf/hoh students wish for cutting edge technical support, of which there is very little provided.

25. Email contacts Queries about this project may be directed to: Ernst D. Thoutenhoofd (e.d.thoutenhoofd@rug.nl) or Beppie van den Bogaerde (beppie.vandenbogaerde@hu.nl)

26. References Brennan, M.; Grimes, M.; Thoutenhoofd, E.D. (2005) Deaf students in Scottish Higher Education: A report for the Scottish Funding Council. Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Funding Council, Equality Forward and Scottish Sensory Centre. (www.ssc.education.ed.ac.uk/resources/deaf/deafstuds/intro.html) Fortnum, H.M.; Summerfield, A.Q.; Marshall, D.H.; Davis, A.C.; Bamford, J.M. (2001) Prevalence of permanent childhood hearing impairment in the United Kingdom and implications for universal neonatal hearing screening: Questionnaire based ascertainment study, in British Medical Journal . 323:1–6. Inspectie van het Onderwijs (2010): Onbelemmerd studeren: Beleid en voorzieningen voor studenten met een functiebeperking in het hoger onderwijs. Utrecht, Netherlands: Inspectie van het onderwijs. (www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/publicaties-pb51/onbelemmerd-studeren.html) Severiens, S., Rezai, S, Wolff, R., de Koning, J. Gravestein, J., Tanis, O. and Beretty, T. (2009) Studeren met een functiebeperking: Resultaten van een onderzoek onder eerstejaars-studenten . Rapport no.134, Beleidsgerichte studies Hoger onderwijs en Wetenschappelijk onderzoek. The Hague, Netherlands: Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap. (www.onderwijsenhandicap.nl/index.cfm?sid=205#Onderzoek)

27. Thank you for your attention Deaf students in Dutch higher education Ernst D. Thoutenhoofd, University of Groningen Beppie van den Bogaerde, Hogeschool Utrecht Paper presented at Equality Diversity Inclusion (EDI) 2010 Conference Vienna, Austria 14-16 July 2010 In collaboration with: Expertisecentrum handicap + studie Signo Ergo Sum | Jongerencommissie