Abstract:

We present a two-year study (2012-2014) on special education centers that offer Job training programs (FT) to students with hearing disabilities in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. We used several techniques such as questionnaires, semi directed interviews and focus groups. All these materials have been recorded on video and then transcribed. A Mexican Sign Language (LSM) interpreter supported us, in order to be able to communicate with deaf LSM users.
This study has been focused on FT workshops and on identifying CAM Sabino Cruz’s center needs.
According to their experience, graduates give recommendation on how to optimize those courses given to Secondary school students.

The main focus is on four workshops:
1) Workshop on Deaf Culture that includes fundamentals of the history of Mexico, fundamentals of video recording and fundamentals of law.
2) Language Workshop: American Sign Language and International Sign Language System.
3) Biology workshop and basic processes.
4) Psychology workshop: Teaching the students Deaf identity, self-esteem and healthy relationships.

The results of this research also show the demand for interpreters in order for the students to achieve a higher level and educational and professional success. The interviewees point out that it is important to implement new strategies to integrate Deaf learners in the classroom and in the workplace. For example, getting support from a fellow listener, the location of certain students in the front rows of the classroom, support on lip reading and mandatory tutoring.

In the workplace, the interviewees remarked that a module within the company for the orientation of the Deaf person is necessary.

The whole study counts with 70 participants as a sample group. Specifically, the study of CAM Sabino counts with a sample of 27 interviewees. They are next listed: five managements, 3 teachers of deaf students in high school, 3 workshop teachers, 3 professionals of the psycho-pedagogical support, nine graduates deaf and 4 parents (both parents of current students and graduates). This study also includes the opinion of 10 deaf research participants external to Sabino Center (5 teachers, 2 graduates and 3 workers).
As instruments to approach the research, we used semi-directed interviews, questionnaires based on the evaluative theory of D. Stufflebeam and focus group as well as QDA Minder program for the qualitative analysis.

We go deeper into the study of the needs of CAM Sabino and the workshops that are offered to deaf students at secondary level. We studied the material available for the implementation of the workshops (the input). The questions related to the input, basically, focused on the resources of the institution, the internal goals of the Center, operational targets, the feasibility of achieving these targets. We investigated the resources of the institution: infrastructure, materials, and programs, alternative strategies that as a school, have been developed for the achievement of these goals. Potential cost- benefit of various strategies. The theoretical foundation of strategies, we reviewed the training required for the workshops, the use and optimization of the school’s equipment. We are interested in the attitude, knowledge of students, parents and teachers toward the program.

Keywords:

Mexican Sign Language (LSM), job training, educational response, secondary education, deaf users of LSM and optimization of services.