Sexuality Education for Students Who Are Deaf: Current Practices and Concerns

A questionnaire was sent to all the Deaf Schools in the U.S. including State Deaf Schools, Private Deaf Schools, and Public Schools that were listed as having a program specifically for students who are deaf. Ninety-two questionnaires were mailed and 76 were returned for a response rate of 83%. The questionnaire elicited information regarding current practices in sexuality education including materials used, mode of communication, media materials utilized, topics covered, and the instructor's perception of the quality of materials being used. Results indicate that teachers are spending more than 2 hours per week modifying materials for their sexuality curriculum. Most of the respondents expressed concerns about obtaining materials that are accessible and appropriate for students who are deaf, developing an overall curriculum, obtaining materials for students who have multiple disabilities, and obtaining materials that do not require modification before they are used with students who are deaf.