Occupational Training of the Hearing Impaired

This study explored and compared goal preferences of school administrators, pupil personnel services staff, instructors, students, and parents involved with four programs that mainstream hearing impaired students in regular occupational education courses for one half of each school day. Striking agreement was found between educators and program clientele regarding both goals in general and the similarity of objectives for handicapped and nonhandicapped pupils. However, notable differences were found among groups in relation to the aims of occupational education and the mainstreaming features of the programs. Practical and theoretical implications of the findings are considered.