The Process of How People with Hearing Impairment Acquire and Utilize the Skill in Expressing Their Needs for Reasonable Accommodation

Abstract

This study conducted an interview-based survey of 6 individuals with hearing impairment to elucidate the process of how they acquired the skill of expressing their needs for reasonable accommodation of their impairment during their university years and as well as how this skill was utilized. A qualitative analysis described the following processes of acquiring the skill. In the pre acquisition stage, the participants tended to give up on understanding when they could not obtain necessary information, and parents and teachers explained the necessary accommodations to the persons involved on behalf of them. In the next stage, the participants realized the necessity of expressing their needs by themselves and receiving support services through actual experience. After participating in the training program, being more involved with others, and explaining their needs, they were able to clarify their needs and acquired the skill with an increased sense of purpose. In the utilization stage, they expressed their needs for accommodation and engaged in constructive dialogue by utilizing their prior experience. Contrarily, they sometimes chose not to express their needs, depending on the relationship and situation. Furthermore, it was revealed that the process of acquiring and utilizing the skill was cyclical rather than linear.