The ideals of inclusive education have led to an increase in students with disabilities accessing higher education. However, many higher education institutions face an ongoing struggle to provide the services required for their equitable participation. The unmet demand for sign language interpreters in higher education prompted some professionals to take on dual roles. This autoethnographic study provides a voice to my lived experience as an educator-interpreter in a bimodal-bilingual higher education classroom with Deaf students. The ongoing research contributes to the limited academic narrative on the pedagogical and ethical complexities that professionals in this unique role navigate within the context of inclusive education. This study has systematically collected preliminary data using journals and photo elicitation, with the images serving as prompts for more meaningful reflection. Coding and thematic analysis of data reveal an emerging theme that identifies my professional role as “boundary work” and my professional identity as a “boundary-crossing object.” The findings suggest that what may seemingly appear as an inclusive practice actually hides a messy transaction and contradiction. The tension in my dual role stems from the continuous shifts that I am compelled to make as I navigate two different languages and modes simultaneously. When analyzed through the lens of Cultural Historical Activity Theory, such tension illuminates the on-the-ground realities of what it takes to enact inclusive education, pedagogically and ethically; a much-needed narrative for professionals, students, and scholars. The final and comprehensive analysis of the results will be presented at the conference.

Authors:
Mariche Llanto, University of Southeastern Philippines, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Mariche Llanto is an Assistant Professor at the University of Southeastern Philippines and a sign language interpreter. She researches the challenges of achieving equity and accessibility for these students in higher education.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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