CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENTS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT IN AN INCLUSIVE SETUP (SPECIAL REFERENCE TO JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN)

Abstract

Every citizen, including those with disabilities, has the right to an education as a basic human right. A hearing-impaired pupil is merely unable to hear and speak. They've been educated, but they've also been isolated from the rest of society because of their segregated schooling. Many challenges remain for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, despite the implementation of integrated education and the availability of rehabilitation professionals. Students with and without disabilities learn together under the auspices of an inclusive educational model, in which the teaching and learning process is customised to fit the specific requirements of all students. Using various amplification equipment and habilitation services, this paper examines the difficulties that students who are deaf or hard of hearing face in class. An investigation into the impediments to the inclusion of hearing-impaired students in Jaipur, Rajasthan, was conducted in this study. The study examined the barriers that hearing-impaired students face in an inclusive learning environment, including school-related and social ones. For this study, a total of 30 hearing-impaired students, 20 parents, ten special educators working with hearing impaired students in different special schools in Jaipur, and ten general education teachers working in inclusive schools in Jaipur were selected as the study's sample. For the purpose of gathering data, a focus group discussion and an open-ended questionnaire were both utilised. Several barriers to inclusion were found for students with hearing loss, a study found. It was difficult for them to understand the teacher's instructions, communicate effectively with their teachers, classmates and other staff, participate in classroom activities, and improve their social behaviour. Students with hearing impairment who use BTE face more obstacles than students who use CI, according to the findings