RESOURCES
General information for coaching swimmers who are deaf or hard of hearing
As a coach of a deaf or hard of hearing swimmer please review these guidlines as they can help better the success of the swimmer.
DAILY INSTRUCTION
Swimmers who are deaf have the physical abilty to perform just as well as a hearing abled swimmer. However, coaches should use frequent demonstrations and should confirm the undestanding of the material with the swimmer.
Speak slowly and face the swimmer when giving instructions to facilitate lip-reading.
Provide an ASL/LSQ Sign Language Interpreter on the pool deck as not all deaf individuals can Lip-Read for verbal communication.
Use a chalkboard or a white board to communicate practice sets.
Learn at least enough sign language to communicate simple instructions.
Expect the swimmer to demonstrate as much personal independence as possible. Some swimmers need help from personal assistants who provide disability-specific help to the swimmer. As the use of personal assistants is restricted at major disability-specific national and international meets, coaches should encourage swimmers to gradually reduce reliance on personal assistants as they become older and more skilled.
Emergency action plan. Consider the adequacy of emergency signals for swimmers who have disabilities. Visual signals are needed for swimmers who are deaf.
DURING SWIM MEETS
Request facility accommodations such as an additional strobe light from the meet director at the time entries are submitted. The meet host will be more prepared to address the swimmer's needs if given advance notice.
Ask the referee to seed the swimmer where s/he can see the strobe light. Remind the referee prior to each sesssion. This will help officials to provide appropriate accommodations without focusing undue attention on the swimmer.
Make sure that someone notifies the swimmer about important announcements.
Advocate for the swimmer. The coach is responsible for notifying the meet referee about the swimmer's disability and requested accommodations. It is courteous to notify meet management with the advance notice about participation of a swimmer with a disability. Remember that attitudes are easier to change when you set a positive example and when you educate rather than confront.
On the Block
