Deaf experience and lived knowledge should shape a school's decisions from the start. Use this checklist to recognize the moments when involving Deaf staff and community members matters most: reviewing instruction, planning professional development, responding to student feedback, shaping schoolwide norms and events, making resource and policy decisions, engaging families, and hiring. For each area it names when to bring Deaf expertise in and why it strengthens access, equity, and quality. Use it to make involving Deaf experience a consistent leadership habit.
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An answer key facilitators use with a training activity, showing which school decisions truly need Deaf staff and community expertise, and why, so it is sought where it matters most.
A tip sheet staff use to recognize the marks of a strong ASL/English school climate: consistent access, respect and inclusion, Deaf expertise, and clear leadership.
A tip sheet leaders use to avoid common missteps, such as tokenism, over-generalizing, or asking one person to speak for all, when drawing on Deaf staff and community expertise.