PERCEPTION ON DEAF EDUCATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON THEIR LIVELIHOODS: A CASE STUDY OF THE WA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (WADEAF) IN THE UPPER WEST REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The study is aimed at investigating societal perception towards the hearing impaired and their effects on the livelihood of the deaf. The study concentrated on the concept of deafness or hearing impairment, how hearing impaired people are perceived, the psychological implications of these (perceived) societal perceptions on the hearing impaired, societal and parental attitudes towards the education of children with disabilities and the effects of these perceptions on the livelihood of hearing impaired people. The research design is descriptive cross sectional in nature, wherein, a convenient sampling technique was adopted to select a sample of 100 parents of hearing-impaired people. Data was collected using a questionnaire for the parents and an interview for the students whose parents have been selected and managed through coding and entry into a computer using statistical package for social science. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages were generated and used to explain and interpret the data. Results of the research indicate multiple barriers for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the different levels of the Ghanaian society. Lack of participation in activities and lack of belongingness were felt by majority of the participants across the different settings of the Ghanaian society. There were impediments along the way in the different transitions the individual makes from the family to school through social life and work life. The study concluded by confirming that perceptions on the hearing impaired, emotions, negative or positive, found within the family and community are central to the development of the individual and that most Deaf and Hard of Hearing experience isolation, stigmatization, stress, depression and grief is what shapes their emotions from the very beginning. The study therefore recommends that, members of the society must therefore be sensitized about the benefits and essence of educating children with disabilities including those who are deaf in churches and mosques, in the form of public symposia, and in the media. There should also be education on the causes of hearing impairments and other disabilities in children and the need to send them to school to learn a vocation so that they can develop their potentials and talents to also contribute to nation building.