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Description
Children with hearing impairments are a vulnerable group in society whose problems are often overlooked but have a major impact on the future of deaf children. NGOs of parents with deaf and hard-of-hearing children defend the rights of these children to receive quality medical and educational services. One of the main problems that families with deaf children today are facing is the lack of quality inclusive education and gaps in preparation for this process. Lithuania has adopted legislation aiming to educate children with special needs in mainstream schools. However, there are many challenges: teachers in mainstream schools are not prepared to educate children with hearing disabilities due to the lack of specific knowledge. Hearing loss has many differences compared with other disabilities; therefore, parents and educators need specific news and skills. The project aims to support the mainstream education system, families with deaf/hard of hearing children, and the children themselves in the process of preparation for inclusive education so it could ensure quality services. Target groups: deaf and hard-of-hearing children; their parents and family members; teachers of mainstream schools. By concentrating human resources on joint activities, the project will organize educational activities for families, deaf and hard of hearing children and mainstream educators working with them. Awareness among teachers and families will help to properly prepare and implement inclusive education. Ensuring family-centered services and needs-based education for children with hearing loss helps them grow up active and equal members of society, and enables them to solve problems related to disability by themselves. Therefore, the contribution of NGOs to the preparation for an inclusive education process will be significant for deaf and hard-of-hearing children and their families.
Summary of project results
The project was needed to help children with hearing impairment, their families and the education system prepare for inclusive education. The education of deaf and hard of hearing children faces many obstacles. Teachers in mainstream schools do not have the necessary knowledge to educate deaf children. Deaf and hard of hearing children experience various challenges due to the nature of their disability and the lack of quality education. Deaf children can face bullying because of their differences, which can lead to emotional pressure and lower self-esteem. Deaf and hard of hearing children in mainstream schools require special adaptation of the environment, preparation by teachers and the school community, and the commitment of parents to their child''s education and to cooperation with school specialists. The role of parents in the rehabilitation and education of a deaf child is very important. Parents need specific knowledge of the child''s needs related to hearing impairment at each age, parenting skills, and advocacy skills. Teachers in mainstream schools are not prepared to educate children with hearing impairment, and the support of teaching assistants is not provided. Educators need knowledge about the specifics of hearing impairment, communication skills and teaching methods. Deaf and hard-of-hearing children have specific learning needs that are very difficult to recognise and respond to without the necessary knowledge and skills. Thus, the educational activities for these target groups have helped hearing-impaired children, their families and the education system to prepare for inclusive education.
Main activities:
The project has produced a product - Recommendations to parents in video format how to educate a deaf child at home; Surdologist counselling services were provided to 10 children with hearing impairment; 4 Trainings were organised for families with deaf and hard of hearing children. 96 participants took part in this activity; Weekend school for deaf and hard of hearing children were organised (3 events). 70 participants took part in this activity; Teachers trainings were organised (4 events). 140 participants took part in this activity.
Communication activities:
- 1 WHO prevention leaflet translated into Lithuanian, 1 information poster on hearing impairment produced.
- Project closing conference was organised. 73 participants attended the event.
- Three letters were drafted and sent to municipalities.
NGO capacity building activities: Two training sessions on advocacy and publicity were organised for the applicant, partner and regional organisations. The two trainings were attended by 12 participants each; Project writing training was organised. 12 participants attended the event; 4 participants took part in the English language courses.
The project was aimed at children with hearing impairment, their family members, teachers from mainstream schools, members of the applicant, partner and other regional organisations. Hearing-impaired children in remote regions received counselling from surdologist. Families received guidance from specialists how to properly educate their child within the family and what methods to use. Parents who participated in the family training gained knowledge about the needs and opportunities of a deaf child, family rights, and improved advocacy skills, which will help parents to contribute effectively to the inclusive education process. The participants of the weekend schools - deaf and hard of hearing children studying/preparing to study in mainstream schools - gained psychological and emotional resilience, self-confidence, and their parents gained psychological immunity, which will help them to better understand and support their children. The specialists-educators who took part in the training improved their qualification skills, gained knowledge about the specifics of deaf children''s education and the peculiarities of communication. NGO representatives/staff strengthened their advocacy skills.