BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS IN PARTICIPATION OF HEARING IMPAIRED STUDENTS IN INCLUSIVE AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS

Presence of barriers in participation of HI students in inclusive and special schools has negative impact on their functional ability/status. This explores on the functional limitations and barriers in participation of hearing impaired students in inclusive and special schools with reference to learning and applying knowledge, general task & demands and communication. A total number of 113 HI students (inclusive schools) and 69 HI students (special schools) Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh were included in this study selected using purposive sampling method. The data was collected using researcher used ICF- based Functional Assessment Scale tool for rational assessment of functioning of HI students developed, modified and standardised by Mishra, A. and Rangasayee, R. (2006, 2010).
The major significant barriers observed were i.e. non availability of hearing aid, lack of suitable educational opportunities, lack of speech/auditory training and speech therapy, lack of suitable instructional methods/procedures,
lack of appropriate learning material, lack of self-advocacy and lack of parent support. Further, facilities were emerged i.e. availability of hearing aid, adequate support services such as auditory and speech training, availability of speech therapy facilities, provision of suitable educational opportunity, training of formal sign language, and availability of appropriate visual learning material. It can be concluded that HI students in inclusive schools are
affected by barriers at large as compared to special schools and in terms of presence of facilitators in participation of HI students in special schools were availing the adequate facilities at large as compared to their counterparts in inclusive schools.