Exploring the Experiences of d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children in a Mainstream School in Zimbabwe: A Narrative Analysis.

The experiences of d/Deaf and hard of hearing children enrolled in a mainstream school in Zimbabwe are explored. The study used a qualitative approach and a narrative case study design. A sample consisting of two boys and three girls whose ages ranged from 13 to 14 years was purposively selected. Face-to-face semistructured interviews were employed as a data collection tool. The narrative analysis revealed that although d/Deaf and hard of hearing children in the school communicated through sign language, they could develop friendships with hearing children. However, the d/Deaf and hard of hearing children experienced behavioral and mental health issues, including, among others, lack of support, discrimination, and labeling.