How Kristi Jones Changed the Life of a Deaf Student Attending a Mainstream College

Key Highlights :

1. A deaf student and her college tutor have forged a close relationship that both say has changed their lives.

2. Kristi Jones has learned British Sign Language to communicate with deaf mother Hannah Carey who has returned to college as a mature student.

3. Coleg Gwent tutor Kristi now wants to be more involved with teaching deaf and hearing impaired students.

4. Hannah said it’s the first time she’s enjoyed college.

5. Hannah,32, from Brynmawr, was born deaf and uses BSL to communicate with her friends, family, and her son Noah who will turn 10 in June.

6. Hannah said she has never stuck it out at college until now.

7. Kristi Jones, 28, from Ebbw Vale, is a Colege Gwent tutor specialising in Beauty Therapy.

8. When Hannah enrolled onto Kristi’s beauty therapy class at Coleg Gwent the tutor began learning words and phrases from Hannah and the communicator who helps her in class.

9. As Kristi’s skills developed she said she could see the impact it was having on her learning and enjoyment.

10. Kristi is now learning BSL and says it helps that they are not too far apart in age.

11. Infact at 28 Kristi is four years younger than her student.

12. Learning skills to communicate has made our relationship very close.

13. We chat about things like life at home and the weekends.

14. Kristi thinks she’s able to make Hannah more included in the class.

15. Having Hannah in the class has changed how the whole class communicates, it’s lovely.

16. Kristi Jones, 28, from Ebbw Vale, is a Colege Gwent tutor specialising in Beauty Therapy.

17. Seeing the change in her student because she was learning a few phrases Kristi decided to go further in learning BSL and hopes it may encourage more deaf students to join the class in future.

18. Other students in the class were so inspired by Kristi’s dedication to learning sign language that they have also learned some basic signs to communicate with Hannah.

19. They have also started to think how they will communicate with deaf customers when they go to work in the beauty industry and have become more aware generally about life for hearing impaired people.

20. Kristi says she is hoping to progress to the Level 3 theatrical special effects, hair, and media make up at Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys campus, and in the future, she’d like to teach

     When Hannah Carey enrolled in Kristi Jones’ beauty therapy class at Coleg Gwent, neither of them could have imagined the impact it would have on their lives. Born deaf, Hannah had never felt comfortable in college before, but with Kristi’s help, she began to flourish.

     Kristi, 28, from Ebbw Vale, began learning British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate with her student, and their relationship quickly grew close. Kristi’s dedication to learning BSL has changed not only Hannah’s life, but also the lives of the other students in the class.

     Hannah, 32, from Brynmawr, said: “In my life I have been to many colleges and never felt comfortable as I do here. But with Kristi, she changed my life massively, she understands and communicates with me and it makes me want to carry on and go further in my career.”

     Kristi’s enthusiasm for learning BSL has inspired other students in the class to learn basic signs to communicate with Hannah. They have also become more aware of life for hearing impaired people.

     “Since I’ve started learning to sign, I’m definitely more open-minded,” said Kristi. “I’ve even started teaching my kids the language now and they love it.”

     Hannah has also benefited from Kristi’s commitment to learning BSL. She has become more engaged, more comfortable asking questions and more included in classroom discussions.

     Hannah recently had a cochlear fitted, but that doesn't enable her to hear more than general sound and she relies on using BSL. She said: “I was born deaf, so it’s all I’ve known. I was bought up the deaf way with hearing aids and learning BSL. I’ve recently had a cochlear implant fitted, which is helping with general sounds.”

     Kristi is now transitioning Hannah to help her get the support she needs once she progresses onto Coleg Gwent’s theatrical special effects, hair, and media make-up Level 3 course.

     “If there are any other deaf people who may be struggling, or wondering if college is right for them, I’d encourage them to go for it,” said Hannah.

     Coleg Gwent currently has 63 deaf or hearing-impaired learners. It supports deaf learners with a dedicated team of additional learning professionals who provide individualised support services to students and staff who are deaf or hard of hearing.

     Kristi’s commitment to learning BSL has had a profound effect on Hannah’s life and has also inspired other students in the class to become more aware of life for hearing impaired people. It is a testament to the power of communication and the importance of understanding the needs of those with disabilities.

Continue Reading at Source : walesonline