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Concentration in Services to Individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

There is a great shortage of professional in the public vocational rehabilitation sector who understand American Sign language and Deaf culture. This program prepares undergraduate rehabilitation students to work with this population and understand the unique audiological, psychological and assistive technology needs of this group. Graduates from this program enter into a variety of service oriented occupations such as Vocational Reahbilitation Counselors for the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitatinve Services, local school districts and child protective agencies. A high precentage of the students in this concentration have been accepted into the masters program here in the department.

Curriculum

COMD 1310: Beginning Sign language
COMD 1320: Intermediate Sign Language
REHS/COMD 3335 Sign Language III (Medically Related Signs)
REHS/COMD 4335 Sign Language IV (Job Placement Related Signs)
REHS 4315 Psychological – Social Aspects of Deafness
REHS 3315 Hearing Disorders and Assistive Technology

Personnel

Shawn P. Saladin, PhD, CRC, CPM
Coordinator of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Concentration

As an oral Deaf individual who attended an auditory-oral school and participated in a mainstreamed educational system, Dr. Saladin has unique insight into issues related to vocational, educational, and cultural aspects of Deafness and the rehabilitation of individuals who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Dr. Saladin is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, a Certified Public Manager, and holds a State of Texas Teaching Certificate. These credentials meet national standards for professional disability-related practice. Dr. Saladin has public school, undergraduate, and graduate level teaching experience, as well as 11 years of professional experience in the State Agency. Dr. Saladin has developed and presented a variety of lectures and seminars regarding disability services, reasonable accommodations, and school and community networking in both academic and employment settings. Further, his expertise includes the topics of the history of Deaf Education in America, psychosocial adjustment issues related to Deafness, anatomy of the ear and auditory system, types of hearing losses, available technology, issues in assessment of Deaf individuals and the American with Disabilities Act.

Shawn P. Saladin, PhD, CRC, CPM
The University of Texas-Pan American
Department of Rehabilitation
Assistant Professor
Coordinatorof Deaf/Hard of Hearing Concentration
HSHSW 1.126
1201 W University Drive
Edinburg, TX 78541-2999
(956) 381-2387 (Voice/VP)