Teaching the deaf and hard of hearing

Steve Swinton has 18 years' experience teaching deaf people to drive. As well as being a Grade 6 ADI, Steve is a registered instructor trainer and has also qualified as a further education teacher. Now, he's developing a training course to help other ADIs teach learner drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

How did you first become involved with teaching deaf people to drive?

I was approached by the secretary of our local deaf society back in 1992. One of their members had been to see two driving instructors but they had both declared him un-teachable. I took it on myself to give it a go and I found that with a simple sign I could say more than I could in a whole sentence. So I took an introductory course in British Sign Language (BSL) at our local adult education college, and since then I've completed level 1 and 2.

Have your lessons evolved as you've gained more experience?

It's something that I've had to learn through experience because there aren't currently any courses available for driving instructors who want to learn how to teach deaf people. That's why I've decided to develop my own course - it's still a project in the making but I think having more driving instructors who know BSL would make a real difference.

Is it harder teaching deaf students than it is hearing students?

Not necessarily. Deaf people rely more on their other senses. For example recently I was teaching a deaf pupil how to do the biting point - she felt when the clutch was at the biting point by the change in vibration on the steering wheel. And she found it just as well, if not better, than some of my hearing pupils.

What advice would you give to other ADIs who may be considering teaching deaf people?

Don't be afraid to give it a go. Teaching deaf people gives me a lot of satisfaction, and it makes me feel so much better about getting up in the morning and going out to work.

Find out more

To find out more about Steve's work, visit his website aditraining123.co.uk