ABSTRACT
This chapter reports on a new initiative in Dublin City University (DCU) to provide, for the first time, access to initial teacher education (ITE) for a group of Deaf students who use Irish Sign Language. It presents results of an evaluation into a multifaceted and holistic programme of capacity building in preparation for this cohort at university level, targeting hearing students, staff and university facilities. The aim of the capacity-building programme was to create a warm campus climate for Deaf students, where they felt they belonged to the university ‘family’. Findings demonstrated that this is being achieved by creating a student and staff body that is committed to (a) direct communication with Deaf students in their first language, and (b) validating the Deaf lived-experience.
