The Importance of Teachers’ Universal Design for Transition Principles Knowledge in Preparing Students Who Are Deaf and Hard of Hearing for the Life after School in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This research sought to establish the importance of teachers’ UDT knowledge in preparing students who are deaf and hard of hearing (DH/H). The study targeted DH/H in general schools in KSA. The main objective of the study was to examine whether the concepts of UDT are understood and successfully incorporated into the activities of teachers, who teach Deaf and Hard of Hearing students in general education schools of Saudi Arabian educational system. The paper relied on both secondary and primary data. It sampled some teachers in general schools who teach both normal and Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. The research used interviews as the main tool for collecting primary data while secondary data were achieved from previous works by scholars. The paper targeted schools in Riyadh City in Saudi Arabia. The findings of this research will aid educational policymakers in striking a balance in the education system between normal students and those living with disabilities. The findings of this research indicate the teachers are not well equipped with skills in UDT principles hence the need to prepare seminars and in-service training programs to train the teachers and at the same time incorporate UDT programs in teachers’ training courses.