In responding to the needs of children from diverse backgrounds, educators can take advantage of the vast literature and resources available on bilingual and multicultural issues in education. While written with a hearing population in mind, much of that information is also relevant to the situations of deaf children and their families. Educators of children and youth who are deaf may have an even greater responsibility to create environments that value and respond to a multiplicity of perspectives and learning styles.
Schools can create vital cultural and linguistic links for families, students, and communities.
Multicultural education, however, provides far-reaching benefits for students from every kind of background. The following guidelines, based on the research literature and the experiences of the authors, are designed to help educators build a multicultural learning environment for students and their families. It also assumes the ability of educators to translate that understanding and sensitivity into practical skills for working and interacting with people from a variety of cultures to build bridges between families, students, communities, and schools. Gather information about the cultures of individuals and groups represented among the populations you serve. Recruit help from bicultural individuals as guides to specific customs and practices.