Literacy and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Multilingual Learners

Abstract

Deaf and hard of hearing multilingual learners (DMLs) face challenges when acquiring literacy. This is compounded by issues such as immigration. Educators and school leaders face difficulties serving these students in a culturally responsive way. The authors highlight the barriers faced by these students and provide strategies that promote literacy. Evidence-based strategies that involve collaboration with other learners on how to provide literacy skills are provided. Vignettes that bring to light issues and strategies that provide solutions to achieving literacy with deaf and hard of hearing multilingual learners have been included. The benefits of family collaboration are presented and strategies included to engage the family in increasing student achievement in reading and writing. Resources and tools are included. This chapter supports the book's objective: to support teachers, teacher preparation professionals, and other stakeholders to acquire the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to teach this special population.