Fundamentals in Deaf Faith Formation Methodologies

Course Summary

This course is designed to provide an informative base and understanding regarding: Deaf Culture, perspectives on deafness, methods of communication, spectrum of deafness, sacramental, faith formation and RCIA accommodations, adaptations and resources. This course will address the unique experiences of Deaf people from various perspectives. This course is designed for Catholic School teachers who need to familiarize themselves with faith formation methodologies; as well as catechetical leaders and catechists who need to familiarize themselves with the lingo and fundamentals of ministering to families with Deaf people. This course may also be beneficial to parents of Deaf children who may wish to learn more about approaches to educating their children in the faith.    

***Please note: the course Disabilities in Parish Life: An Overview is a prerequisite for this course.

Successful completion of this course earns 2.5 CEU's.

General Course Objectives

• Participants will recognize the components of Deaf Culture: e.g. perspectives on deafness, modes of communication, the spectrum of deafness and family dynamics as it relates to deafness.
• Participants will examine faith formation materials that are applicable for the D/deaf learner within a faith formation setting.
• Participants will discuss accessibility and accommodations as they apply to faith formation methodologies for D/deaf people.
• Participants will create an adapted plan e.g. Faith Formation, RCIA, Sacramental Preparation, etc. that applies the necessary accommodations for the visual non-English learner, i.e. D/deaf, Deaf/Blind, Deaf/deaf with additional disabilities.

Course Materials

• Required Book: Bob Ayers Deaf Diaspora, The Third Wave of Deaf Ministry iUniverse, Inc. www.iuniverse.com, 2004. ISBN: 0-595-33541-1; ISBN-13: 978-0-595-33541-1
  • Order here
• Required Book: Padden & Humphries Inside Deaf Culture Harvard University Press; Cambridge, Massachusetts, 2005. ISBN: ISBN: 0-674-02252-1; ISBN-13: 978-0-674-02252-2
  • Order here

Course Structure and Highlights

• Week 1: Components of Deaf Culture
  • Recognize the components of Deaf Culture
  • Identify the spectrum of deafness
  • Identify the myths attributed to the topic of ‘deafness’
• Week 2: The Changing Society and its effects on Deaf Culture
  • Identify the components of Deaf Culture
  • To apply new understanding from diverse perspectives surrounding Deaf ministry.
• Week 3: Pastoral Implications for Ministry within the Deaf Culture
  • Identify the challenges regarding:
  • Accessibility and accommodations within parish contexts
  • Creating faith formation experiences.
  • Catholic Schools learning environments
• Week 4: Diversity in Deafness; Deafness and Disability
  • Identify resources for Faith Formation Resources for Deaf Children
  • Recognize the needs of ongoing catechesis for Deaf Persons in the Life of the Church - (LifeLong Catechesis)
  • Recognize and create a means sense of belonging and “Diversity” within the Deaf Community (Deaf/ “Deaf +”)
• Week 5: Implementing Strategies of Discipleship
  • Apply the knowledge and skills learned in this e-course for Deaf and hard of hearing catechesis
  • Fine tune one’s abilities to design creative lesson/teaching plans for varied age groups
  • Evaluate faith formation strategies for nurturing discipleship within Deaf and hard of hearing communities

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