| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 414.97 KB | Adobe PDF |
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
The transition from secondary school to higher education institutions (HEIs) can be a very exciting
experience, but it can also represent unique challenges, making this moment a crucial event in the
academic path of all students. Academic initiation practices are a tradition that exists on several
universities campuses with the purpose of promoting students' integration into academic life during
such an important transition.
It is important to analyse the participation of deaf students in initiation practices to higher
education and the sign language interpreters' role in including them in this process. Sixteen deaf
students of HEIs in the Porto region participated in this study and accepted the importance of
initiation, although some interviewees were afraid they would not have enough time to dedicate to
their studies, which influenced their decision not to take part in these activities. Deaf students who
participated and experienced initiation rituals identified several constraints, which indicates that
academic initiation practices are not adapted to the specific needs of deaf students, nor to the needs
of the deaf community as a whole. HEIs are not fully aware of the need to adapt them, so that all
students, regardless of their hearing ability, can fully participate and feel included at university. It
is vital to provide conditions that allow the full inclusion of deaf students into the academic
environment. Since Portuguese sign language is the language of these students, it is essential for
them to have an interpreter who facilitates communication in both educational situations and
extracurricular activities they wish to participate in, thus minimizing discrimination and promoting
full inclusion.
Description
Keywords
Practices Deaf students Higher education institutions Interpreter sign language