About 95% of deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) pupils in this country are mainstreamed at their local school. Co-enrolment — currently offered only overseas — would involve having several DHH pupils, rather than often just one, in a primary school class. Born deaf, Oliver has a cochlear implant, which provides a modified sense of sound. However, in co-enrolment several DHH pupils and two teachers — one of them a specialist teacher of the deaf — were in the classroom. The academic and socio-emotional development of many deaf children consistently lagged behind their hearing peers and positive change was needed, Dr Powell has said.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 27, 2020 13:30 UTC