Group Work Activities and difficulties with Hearing

Remember, disability is a highly individualised experience. People with the same disability may have very different capabilities and/or needs, so it is always best to discuss any adaptations to practice, the environment or equipment directly with the disabled person themselves rather than making assumptions about what adjustments may be suitable.

Group work is a form of cooperative learning which aims to develop students knowledge, generic skills, (e.g. communication skills, collaborative skills, critical thinking skills) and attitudes. The ability to participate effectively in group work or team work is seen as a desirable employability skill and should be considered part of every learner’s educational experience.

On most occasions, hearing is critical to the successful operation of groups; exceptions include, for example, group work conducted within the Deaf community, or group work conducted at a distance where communication is through email or blogging, for example. Good communication is crucial for effective group work, the group should agree the method by which they will share information and/or contact each other, for example, email or text.

Some people who are Deaf or hard of hearing will need to lip-read, and if this is the case, then the speaker’s face needs to be visible at all times. The group will need to make sure they have adequate lighting, avoid eating or chewing gum when speaking, establish a protocol of always speaking to the Deaf person whilst facing them, and ensure their discussions are well organised, not just a free for all. Those who use a radio hearing aid might also prefer to see the speaker’s face and mouth, and would certainly benefit from working in a quiet area without too much background noise as hearing aids amplify all sounds.

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