We are delighted to announce that we have received the green light with research ethics approval for the next phase of our project looking at deaf education in the UK.
Following a review of the impact of the British Sign Language (BSL) (Scotland) Act 2015 on deaf education, and a comparison of the approaches to Welsh and Gaelic bilingual education in Wales and Scotland, we are now moving on to unravel the ethical and moral dilemmas Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People (ToDs) encounter and assess whether a code of practice could enhance their decision-making processes.
The project’s objectives include a historical and current review of the ToD’s role, gathering perspectives from ToDs and parents/guardians, evaluating relevant policies, and considering the potential benefits of a Code of Practice. To guide our exploration, we have formulated key research questions:
- What is the role of ToDs from the perspective of both the ToD profession and the families of deaf children?
- How has the role of ToDs evolved over time in relation to work with parents/guardians and families
- What is the scope and nature of the relationship between ToDs and medical professionals, and how has it influenced deaf education practice?
- What ethical dilemmas do ToDs face, especially in their work with families, and what guidance is currently available to address these challenges?
- What are the views of parents/guardians of deaf children regarding the above issues?
We will be analysing the British Association of Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People’s (BATOD) magazines, conducting online questionnaires for parents/guardians, interviewing ToDs, and reviewing international competencies related to ToDs.
The data analysis methods range from thematic analysis from the magazines and interviews, as well as quantitative analysis of questionnaire data. We will also employ documentary analysis for competencies, codes of practice, and guidance relevant to the four nations of the UK.
We will be launching the project in January 2024. Please subscribe to our mailing list for updates.
