ERIC Number: EJ1434368
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Apr
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1081-4159
EISSN: EISSN-1465-7325
Available Date: N/A
Sign Language Usage of Deaf or Hard of Hearing Sri Lankans
Leeljanaka S K Udugama; Rohan Nethsinghe; Jane Southcott; Sampath Kularathna; T D T Leslie Dhanapala; K Anoma C Alwis
Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, v29 n2 p187-198 2024
In Sri Lanka, about 300,000 Sinhala speaking people are either deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and would benefit from a common Sinhala sign language, technological resources such as captioning, and educational and social support. There is no fully developed common sign language for members of the Sinhalese community, a severe shortage of sign language interpreters, and few resources for teachers. This exploratory study was undertaken in all nine provinces of Sri Lanka into the use of sign language, access to education for people with disabilities, and the availability of trained or qualified educators to work with the DHH people. Data were gathered via interviews and focus groups with Special Education Assistant Directors, Principals and Teachers in Deaf Schools, and Teachers of Special Education Deaf Units in mainstream schools. The DHH members of Sri Lankan society are marginalized, under-supported, and require urgent attention to their educational and social needs. This study provides a basis for much needed attention and reform.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Deafness, Sign Language, Language Usage, Indo European Languages, Access to Education, Special Schools, Administrator Attitudes, Students with Disabilities
Oxford University Press. Great Clarendon Street, Oxford, OX2 6DP, UK. Tel: +44-1865-353907; Fax: +44-1865-353485; e-mail: jnls.cust.serv@oxfordjournals.org; Web site: http://jdsde.oxfordjournals.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sri Lanka
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A