Academic Challenges of Students Who are Deaf at Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong Akuapem, Eastern Region, Ghana

ABSTRACT

This study explored the academic challenges of students who are deaf at Presbyterian College of Education, Akropong-Akuapem in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The case study research design was adopted for the study. Twelve students who were deaf were purposively sampled from a population of 32 students. Data were gathered through a semistructured interview guide. Data were coded and analyzed using thematic approach and verbatim expressions from the respondents where applicable. Findings of the study revealed among others that; students had challenges with regards to academic assessment, the number of interpreters, the quality of interpreting services, the fast pace of lecture delivery and also had challenges with the quality of assistance they from at the library. The researcher recommended among others that; the coordinator for students who are deaf at the college should appeal to lecturers to set questions using simple vocabulary that will be easily understood by students, that the coordinator for students who are deaf at the college should appeal to college authorities to employ enough and proficient sign language interpreters who have background knowledge in the subjects they interpret to students, the coordinator should request from lecturers to reduce the pace of their lecture delivery in order for interpreters to sign at the same pace. More so, the coordinator for students who are deaf at the college should collaborate with college authorities to organize workshops for the librarian and library assistants on basic sign language skills that will make them acquire proficiency in basic sign language skills with which they can communicate with students who are deaf who may go to the library.