This seminar proceedings document offers a summary of the views articulated in a paper by Robert E. Johnson and others titled "Unlocking the Curriculum: Principles for Achieving Access in Deaf Education." The paper's contention was that deaf students' low average academic achievement levels are not results of learning deficits inherently associated with deafness but of problems in the communication practices of the students' teachers. The paper listed 12 principles to guide deaf education, all of which center around the view that instruction of deaf children should be conducted in a natural sign language (basically American Sign Language). Five panel members then respond to the paper, including David M. Denton, Gerilee Gustason, Carol Padden, David S. Martin, and Roberta Thomas. Responses address such issues as the use of Total Communication, Signing Exact English, mainstreaming, teachers' signing skills, and low expectations for students with deafness. Questions from the audience are then presented, with answers from the panel. (JDD)