Deaf Mentoring
I offer a mentoring service for Deaf adults which aims to improve personal development and academic outcomes.
The relationship between the mentor (me) and mentee is at the heart of what makes my mentoring service successful.
Deaf adults with disabilities often lack access to academic, every day and social role models.
The Deaf Community are an underserved population that could benefit from improving their skills such as self-determination and independent living through my mentoring service.
Benefits of my mentoring service
My mentoring service enables Deaf adults to interact with, learn from, and form connections to other Deaf role models or individuals who can offer guidance and support. Mentoring can contribute to positive outcomes for Deaf adults in the following ways:
• Deaf role models can help build important connections to community resources.
• Culturally sensitive mentoring service can improve mentee’s participation in expectations for their future path.
• My mentoring service can increase a Deaf person’s self-confidence, self-determination, persistence, personal development, and social development.
• My mentoring service can help improve knowledge of and planning for employment and life skills.
“Mentoring relationships provide valuable support to Deaf people, especially those with disabilities or additional needs, by offering not only guidance, but also effective role models for leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.” - Deaf Mentee
Importance of Mentoring for Deaf People
Mentoring is important for Deaf people for several reasons. Many Deaf people attended mainstream schools where all of their peers were hearing, therefore making academic and social settings difficult. Deaf people often lacked access to Deaf role models who could provide focused attention, support, and guidance. I aim to change this.
As a Deaf Mentor, I am able to share what I have learned from my shared experience of navigating the world as a Deaf person. Mentoring relationships in which the mentee and mentor have a similar culture and background are particularly impactful.
Mentoring services are beneficial, in particular for younger Deaf adults, but also for their family members. Mentoring Deaf family members can take many forms such as supporting hearing parents of Deaf children and Deaf parents of hearing children.
Deaf Mentors and Young Deaf Adults
• Deaf people who participate in mentorship programs develop greater confidence, self-worth, and deaf identity, which can in turn builds confidence and self-esteem.
• Deaf people who work with deaf mentors develop better social relationships. These relationships can increase participation in the community and access to resources that are important for the success of a young Deaf adult.
• Deaf adults who participate in mentoring programs build stronger independent living and coping skills, which can be used in unfamiliar social and professional situations.
• Deaf adults can improve their language skills through mentoring by a Deaf adult. Expressive and receptive language skills are critical to their life skills.
• Mentoring a Deaf adult also helps improve the quality of their mental health. Understanding what mental health is, having the language to talk about it and knowing when and where to seek help is key to helping Deaf people understand how to look after their own mental health.
• Some Deaf people may lack the vocabulary to talk about their own emotions and feelings and struggle to understand how they and others feel.
• Deaf people are more vulnerable during times of transition and change because they may lack the vital skills they need to navigate new experiences successfully.
• Good social skills and deaf awareness are essential for the development and maintenance of long-term relationships which can, in turn, promote good emotional wellbeing. Deaf people who struggle to form and maintain friendships may become isolated or bullied.
If you know of someone who would benefit from my mentoring service please do get in touch with me at carron@pasupport.co.uk or text 07523 061304
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