Students in the Buncombe County Schools Deaf Education Program at Charles C. Bell Elementary School visited the WNC Nature Center on Sept. 29 for a day of hands-on learning designed with accessibility in mind.

The visit coincided with Deaf Awareness Month and the Nature Center’s Deaf Awareness Day. Students took part in animal presentations and educational activities featuring box turtles, otters, snakes, reptiles, amphibians and native feline species. Several presentations included sign language interpreters, allowing students to fully engage with presenters, ask questions and experience the same learning opportunities as other visitors.

“Schools play an important role in ensuring that deaf and hard-of-hearing students are not simply present in the classroom, but are able to fully access instruction, communicate, form relationships and participate in school activities,” said Megan Barker, lead teacher of deaf and hard of hearing at Bell Elementary. “Experiences like this build confidence, encourage curiosity, strengthen connections within the deaf community and demonstrate what true inclusion can look like when accessibility is considered from the beginning.”

The BCS Deaf Education Program serves students who are deaf and hard of hearing and supports multiple communication modalities, including American Sign Language and oral language. Through individualized education plans, the program emphasizes strong foundations in language, vocabulary and communication while helping students participate fully in school and community experiences.