TY - JOUR
T1 - Sign language usage of deaf or hard of hearing Sri Lankans
AU - Udugama, Leeljanaka S.K.
AU - Nethsinghe, Rohan
AU - Southcott, Jane
AU - Kularathna, Sampath
AU - Leslie Dhanapala, T. D.T.
AU - Anoma C Alwis, K.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Open University of Sri Lanka, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Faculty Research Grant.
Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press.
PY - 2023/12
Y1 - 2023/12
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85188299473&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/deafed/enad055
DO - 10.1093/deafed/enad055
M3 - Article
C2 - 38073324
AN - SCOPUS:85188299473
SN - 1081-4159
VL - 29
SP - 187
EP - 198
JO - Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education
JF - Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education
IS - 2
ER -