On a global scale, approximately 80% of the world’s 70 million Deaf people do not have any access to education and about one to two percent of the Deaf are educated in South African Sign Language.
Out of the population of 60 million people living in South Africa, approximately 4 million of them are Deaf. Despite this, the Deaf community continues to be discriminated and marginalised.
Their voice is not heard. A recent gathering by officials from the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA), focusing on challenges encountered by the Deaf community showed that social exclusion, language barriers, oppression, and autism was among the core issues affecting them.
It was revealed that in many developing countries most Deaf people do not get any education. Furthermore, on a global scale, approximately 80% of the world’s 70 million Deaf people do not have any access to education and about one to two percent of the Deaf are educated in South African Sign Language (SASL). Despite the many challenges in the Deaf community, there is underreporting about their plight. Coverage is mostly seasonal, September during the Deaf awareness month.
Thus, our team of Deaf and hearing journalists, including a qualified South African Sign Language Interpreter (SASLI) and a former teacher will be going to different provinces to report on issues pertaining to challenges in the Deaf community. Our journalists have worked for credible print, television and radio stations in South Africa, New York, Canada, Nigeria and Kenya. The team comprises a former English, Life Sciences and Geography teacher who was the Head of Department (HOD) for the English Department in public schools by the Department of Basic Education; a SASLI with decades of experience in Signing for the Deaf community and credible organisations for the Deaf; a BCom Economics student and a Fine Arts Graduate.
Our reportage will also include success stories in the Deaf community. The purpose is to ensure that the voice of the Deaf community is heard. Furthermore, to create a culture of reading in the Deaf community. In so doing, improve their English writing skills and their knowledge. Thus, to ensure that the Deaf community is not excluded, we are launching our online news publication and a quarterly print magazine to cater to their needs.
Their voice is not heard. A recent gathering by officials from the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA), focusing on challenges encountered by the Deaf community showed that social exclusion, language barriers, oppression, and autism was among the core issues affecting them.
It was revealed that in many developing countries most Deaf people do not get any education. Furthermore, on a global scale, approximately 80% of the world’s 70 million Deaf people do not have any access to education and about one to two percent of the Deaf are educated in South African Sign Language (SASL). Despite the many challenges in the Deaf community, there is underreporting about their plight. Coverage is mostly seasonal, September during the Deaf awareness month.
Thus, our team of Deaf and hearing journalists, including a qualified South African Sign Language Interpreter (SASLI) and a former teacher will be going to different provinces to report on issues pertaining to challenges in the Deaf community. Our journalists have worked for credible print, television and radio stations in South Africa, New York, Canada, Nigeria and Kenya. The team comprises a former English, Life Sciences and Geography teacher who was the Head of Department (HOD) for the English Department in public schools by the Department of Basic Education; a SASLI with decades of experience in Signing for the Deaf community and credible organisations for the Deaf; a BCom Economics student and a Fine Arts Graduate.
Our reportage will also include success stories in the Deaf community. The purpose is to ensure that the voice of the Deaf community is heard. Furthermore, to create a culture of reading in the Deaf community. In so doing, improve their English writing skills and their knowledge. Thus, to ensure that the Deaf community is not excluded, we are launching our online news publication and a quarterly print magazine to cater to their needs.
