working together to help children who are deaf 147
Bring deaf children together with other deaf people
A community’s efforts to support deaf children can also bring them
together. When children who are deaf or cannot hear well have
an opportunity to meet together they can begin to form a natural
community and develop their language and communication skills.
One town in China took a survey to find out how many deaf children
there were who might attend a deaf school. Because of this survey, two
families living next to each other were surprised to find that they both
had deaf family members who had never met!
If you live in a large town or city, you can
probably find ways to meet other deaf
people. Even if you live in a small village
there may be some deaf and hearing
people who communicate using signs
and gestures. They will often be happy
to help families with deaf children.
Are you coming to eat at
our house tonight? Ravi
and Mita will be there
too!
Many larger communities have social
clubs, associations, or large informal
groups made up of people who are
deaf. Sometimes these associations have
programs for deaf children and their
families. You and your child will be
welcome there.
Deaf people who communicate
well are often the best teachers
and advisors for a family with a
deaf child.
Every year the Delhi Foundation
of Deaf Women, in India, has a
talent contest for deaf children.
After the contest, families meet
and learn about deafness. This
is part of the foundation’s ‘Catch
Them Young’ program
to involve families with young
deaf children in deaf community
activities.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)