Deaf High School Students' Vocational Interests and Attitudes

Abstract:The purpose of this study was to determine the manner in which deaf persons aged 16-19 differed from hearing persons of the same age group when vocational interests and attitudes were compared using the Wide Range Interest and Opinion Test (WRIOT).As a group, the deaf students in this study showed lower interests in educational and cultural-related vocational interest scales than hearing students. Manual activities were preferred over verbal learning areas. In attitudes, the deaf students tended to aspire toward lower levels of ambition and skill development than hearing students. The patterns of deaf males and deaf females differed.The implications of deafness are discussed as contributing factors in the differences found between the groups. Programming needs in vocational education are discussed, and the use of the WRIOT in a group process to increase vocational awareness is suggested.