A Phenomenological Study on the Lived Experiences of Selected Filipino Deaf Educators Regarding Inclusive Education in the Philippines

This study delved into the experiences of Filipino Deaf Educators teaching in both public and private schools, examining inclusive education in the Philippines. Identified gaps included practical challenges in implementing inclusive practices, stakeholder awareness issues, communication barriers, and inadequate professional training. Specifically, the research will endeavour to address the following inquiries: What are the experiences of selected Filipino deaf educators regarding deaf inclusive education in the Philippines? What are the issues and challenges in the implementation of deaf inclusive education based on the experiences of Filipino deaf educators? What are the strengths and benefits of inclusion in deaf education? What are the identified needs of Filipino deaf educators in their teaching practices within a deaf-inclusive education? And what framework can be used to enhance the deaf education inclusion program? The study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis along with semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Ten educators participated, evenly split between public and private institutions, selected through purposive and stratified sampling techniques. The results revealed six common themes among all the Co-Researchers namely: Identity and Community, Teaching Profession and Experience, Challenges faced by Deaf Individuals in Education, Perception of Inclusion, School Administration and Management and Professional Development of Teachers. The findings highlighted the complexities within deaf education, revealing the challenges educators face and stressing the pivotal role of inclusion in fostering equality and conducive learning environments. The study proposed a framework to enhance the Basic Deaf Education Inclusion Program, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts, targeted research, and interventions to enhance inclusive education practices for Deaf students in the Philippines.