title: A comparative perspective on the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing individuals as students at mainstream and special schools.
abstract: Integration of individuals categorized as having special educational needs in mainstream schools has become a dominant policy in many countries. Changes in recent years in the field traditionally called "special education" have significantly influenced the education of deaf and hard of hearing individuals. The movements against segregation and toward integration and, more recently, inclusion, have created the conditions for educational changes, not only in mainstreaming but in special education. The article brings to light the views and experiences of deaf and hard of hearing people as students at special schools and mainstream schools, in order to compare the two systems from the viewpoints of those involved and to explore the possible implications of these views and experiences for the development of the educational system in Cyprus regarding inclusive education. Particular attention is given to improvement of the education of deaf and hard of hearing children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Education, Intercollege, Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Panayiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Angelides
authors.forename: Christiana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aravi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003535:Cyprus; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology*; D004519:Education, Special; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D012574:Schools; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires