Communication Disabilities
Accommodations | Special
Considerations
A communication disability is a ". . . limitation in the process of speech and/or
hearing which impedes the educational process and necessitates the procurement of supportive
services or programs."
There are several different types of hearing and communication disabilities. Some can be
partly corrected with a hearing aid and some cannot. Some kinds of communication disabilities
do not simply reduce the volume of sound; they also distort it, so that words cannot be
understood.
 modifications of assignments,
such as one-to-one presentations or use of computers with voice synthesizers
substitutions for oral
class reports
Speech and language disorders may be managed by computerized voice synthesizers or electronic-speaking
machines. Speech therapy is frequently used to improve certain disorders. Anxiety and stress
often accompany oral communication and can exacerbate the problem.
The student may speak more slowly in class and should be given time to express his or her
thoughts. Interrupting or completing a sentence for the student is not helpful and may lead
to embarrassment. It is appropriate to ask the student to repeat the statement. Summarizing
the message helps the student to check for accuracy of understanding. The instructor’s
acceptance and support of the student is important to facilitate communication and manage
the speech disorder. If an oral presentation is required, the instructor should discuss
alternatives with the student.
The information on this Web page is for informational purposes only and should
not be considered as a substitute for information found in CSUF publications. Please
consult the California State University, Fullerton Catalog and the CSUF Class Schedule.
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