For Immediate Release
Press Release
Under this year's theme, "Promoting Multilingual Education: Literacy for Mutual Understanding and Peace," we’re proud to spotlight the vital role of bilingual Deaf (signing!) education through the impactful work of the USAID-funded Strengthening Deaf Education, Empowerment, and Employment (Deaf-E3) activity.
At Deaf-E3, we are committed to enhancing resources and amplifying the leadership and capacity of Deaf educators, Deaf communities, and parents of Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind (D/HH/DB) children across Nigeria.
Literacy starts at home. With this in mind, Deaf-E3 recently conducted engagement workshops for parents of D/HH/DB children nationwide, emphasizing the importance of early language development. These workshops, which brought together 357 eager parents and caregivers, fostered stronger communication within families, ensuring that every Deaf child has the opportunity to thrive—because home language is the foundation of academic language and literacy success.
Most conflicts and misunderstandings between parents and their deaf children at home arise due to a lack of access to visual communication and sign language. Research indicates that with a little effort, parents of deaf children can become multilingual and use sign language to interact with their child, fostering mutual peace and understanding.
The impact of these seminars was profound, with parents expressing deep gratitude for their newfound ability to connect with their Deaf children. One parent shared, "Before, I struggled to communicate with my eight-year-old Deaf child, but now I feel equipped to connect effectively." Another parent highlighted the importance of early language exposure, recognizing the unintentional communication barriers and language deprivation placed on their deaf child. Many parents realized they had inadvertently deprived their deaf children of crucial information due to these barriers and expressed a strong desire for ongoing NSL and gesture classes to further enhance their communication skills.
This initiative has laid the groundwork for a lasting partnership between schools and parents, ensuring that every Deaf child feels included and supported at home, ultimately increasing educational and literacy outcomes.
As we celebrate International Literacy Day, we reflect on how these efforts are not just about improving communication within families, but also about laying the foundation for lifelong literacy and educational success for Deaf children in Nigeria. By fostering early language development and empowering parents, we are building a brighter future where every Deaf child has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially.
This journey towards inclusion, understanding, and peace is what International Literacy Day embodies, and we are proud to be part of this global movement. Join us in celebrating this incredible progress and commitment to literacy for all!
#DeafE3 #BilingualEducation #SignLanguageRights #Inclusion #USAIDSuccessStory
USAID DEAF-E3