Testing Accommodations for Deaf Students
Ensuring accessible testing experiences for deaf students requires more than just checking a box—it takes thoughtful planning, familiarity with available accommodations, and a student-centered approach. This page will help you identify common testing accommodations and key considerations to help guide decision-making.
Common Testing Accommodations
These accommodations can help ensure that deaf students have equal access to test content and directions:
Useful for students who use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or FM systems. ALDs help ensure that oral instructions or spoken content are clearly heard.
Any videos or audio content in a test must include captions so students can fully access the information being presented.
Deaf students may need additional time to read test questions, process English text, view interpreted or captioned content, or navigate visual supports.
Qualified interpreters can provide real-time access for tests involving oral directions or spoken content. Consistency is key—using the same interpreter for testing and instruction can improve accuracy and comfort.
These services can be used when access to spoken information is needed in a written format, though they may not be suitable for all testing situations.
Testing in a separate location can minimize distractions and better support the use of interpreters or captioning services.
When permitted, these tools support understanding of general English vocabulary not directly tied to what’s being assessed. This is especially helpful for students who use English as a second language.
Things to Consider When Evaluating Accommodation Requests
When determining appropriate testing accommodations, keep these key points in mind:
Start with the Purpose of the Test
Understand what the test is designed to measure and whether a proposed accommodation could unintentionally alter that.
Focus on Student’s Communication
Consider the student’s language, communication approach, and past experiences with accommodations, especially in similar classroom or testing environments.
Align Accommodations to Instructional Accommodations
Accommodations used during testing should, whenever possible, reflect what the student regularly uses in class.
