Education for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Including Inclusive Educational Practices

• October 17, 2026: The School of Tomorrow: As part of a professional development program offered by BBH e. V. Bayern, Dr. Melanie Pospischil presented ideas for a sustainable transformation of learning culture and the eight components of an inclusive learning culture on October 17, 2026, at the Samuel-Heinicke-Fachoberschule in Munich. Together with teachers specializing in hearing and communication, participants discussed how to place greater emphasis on learning, self-determination, and participation. The in-depth discussion offered a variety of perspectives and ideas for shaping a sustainable and inclusive school.
• September 30, 2026: A Future-Oriented Learning Culture in the Area of Hearing and Communication: In their presentation at the BDH’s “Feuerstein Conference” at Burg Feuerstein, Melanie Pospischil and Nadine Neumair (a master’s graduate) provided insights into eight key dimensions of a future-oriented learning culture and presented preliminary research findings on innovative learning concepts. Following this, Melanie Pospischil led a workshop on September 30 and October 1, during which participants collaboratively developed ideas for their own school practices, discussed opportunities and challenges, and reflected on possible first steps for school development.
• September 25, 2026: “Science Meets Media”: Researchers from LMU and media representatives from BR came together to discuss the significance, opportunities, and current challenges of science communication. Lillian Siebert represented the chair at the event, held at BR’s headquarters. The event provided a wide range of insights into the communication of scientific findings at the intersection of research, media, and society.
• September 23, 2026: Deaf Week at LMU: As part of Deaf Week, Cornelia Ruppert and Laura Avemarie highlighted the importance of German Sign Language (DGS), accessibility, and inclusion. The focus was on improving educational opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, integrating sign language more firmly into training and education, and involving deaf people in research. The display of the Deaf Flag at the LMU main building also served as a visible symbol of the identity and cultural diversity of the Deaf community.
• September 17, 2026: Professional Development Day on Self-Regulated Learning in the Hearing and Communication Program: At the request of the principals of all 14 schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, Melanie Pospischil and Oliver Schneider organized a full-day workshop. The focus was on innovative learning, the development of a new learning culture, and the question of how schools can further develop their own learning approaches in a forward-looking way. It was an intensive day filled with lively exchanges, discussions, and shared perspectives on how learning can be reimagined and redesigned.
• September 1, 2026: A warm welcome! Since September, Sophia Vogt, Clara-Marie Borchert, Ela Beysun, and Bryan Savkin have been supporting the department’s team. Sophia Vogt works as a research assistant. Clara-Marie Borchert serves as a student assistant in the area of public relations. Ela Beysun and Bryan Savkin are working as student assistants on the ElSiE research project.
• August 2, 2026: LMU published an article about the work of the Chair for the Promotion of Education and Participation of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People. In the article, Cornelia Ruppert and Laura Avemarie explain the importance of German Sign Language for a successful school education and emphasize the need for professionals proficient in sign language in early intervention, daycare centers, and schools.
• July 21, 2026: Lillian Siebert and Katrin Steiner represented the department at ICAP 2026 in Florence, an international conference in the field of applied psychology. There, they presented a paper on the relationships between linguistic, communicative, and cognitive abilities and the social-emotional development of children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• July 2, 2026: Save the Date: To mark the start of the 2026/2027 winter semester, the PIR Chair is offering orientation days (PDF, 140 KB) for first-year students.
• June 10, 2026: Laura Avemarie represented the department at the EARLI Joint SIG 4 & SIG 11 Conference 2026 in Helsinki. There, she presented findings from the ReaDi research project on the effectiveness of a training program for professionals on reading digital and multilingual picture books aloud.

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