FOCUS GROUPS
Focus group surveys were conducted with the PEPNet outreach coordinators on October 6 and October 7, 2009. As a starting point for group discussions, the following questions were asked of the participants:
- What are the barriers to education in STEM by students who are deaf and hard of hearing?
- What do you feel are the benefits associated with creating a cyberinfrastructure to support STEM students who are deaf or hard of hearing?
- Do you feel a virtual cyberinfrastructure could be created to provide:
- Social networking?
- Remote interpreting and captioning?
- Tutoring and other support?
- What do you believe are the most significant challenges associated with creating a cyberinfrastructure to support STEM postsecondary students who are deaf or hard of hearing?
- What features would you like to see incorporated in a cyberinfrastructure system? What features would be of benefit to you?
- Do you know of any colleges or universities in your states that might have significant numbers of STEM students who are deaf or hard of hearing?
- Do you have any additional comments that will aid in developing this proposal?
A full transcript of the two sessions was recorded, and the transcripts were analyzed by two researchers at NTID, Dr. Gerard Walter (a quantitative researcher) and Dr. Susan Foster (a qualitative researcher).
Their reports are available by clicking on the following links: