Situation of Children with Hearing Impairments in Ethiopia

Presentation Layout I. Understanding hearing impairment II. Prevalence and etiological conditions in Ethiopia III. Developmental effects of hearing impairment IV. Educational situation of children with hearing impairment V. Early Identification and Intervention practices VI. Inclusive Education : The Way of the Future

1. Understanding Hearing Impairment Hearing Impairment  The Deaf  The Hard of Hearing  Educational & medical definitions

HI & its possible impacts (Varna,1993) DEGREE OF HEARING LOSS DECIBELS (DB hl) POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON SPEECH AND LANGUAGE POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON ADJUSTMENT AND BEHAVIOUR None0-- Mild20- 40Slight difficultiesMay show slight deficit Moderate Difficulties in speech receptivity May show behavioral difficulties Severe Difficulties in speaking omissions in spoken language. Social problems as well as educational difficulties Profound95+Have marked difficulties in understanding speech and speech may be unintelligible. Educational limitations, behavior and social skills may be immature

2. Prevalence of Hearing Impairment in Ethiopia Incidence and prevalence of hearing impairment in Ethiopia Onset of Hearing Impairment Age Per cent32%16%8%16% Prevalence :15 %

3. Ethological Conditions of Hearing Impairment 3.1 Disabling factors and types of Hearing Impairment Causes of Hearing Impairment  Congenital conditions  Acquired conditions  Unknown 3.2 Site of Hearing Impairment  Outer ear  Middle ear  Inner ear

3.3 Causes of HI Ethiopia

3. 4. Developmental Profile of Children with Hearing Impairments 4.1 Language Development (Deaf & Hard of Hearing ) a) Communication Methods Oral Communication Manual Communication Total Communication b) Sign Language

4.2 Cognitive and Learning Characteristics Impact of lack of Interaction Psychosocial situation (cognitive, emotional & behavioral factors) Learning Characteristics The Deaf Pre-lingually Deaf Post-lingually Deaf The Hard of Hearing

4.3 Socio-emotional development a) Family & social environment Children from deaf parents Children from hearing parents b) Onset of hearing impairment Pre-lingually Deaf Post-lingually Deaf C) Hard of Hearing Children

4.3 Psychomotor conditions Gross motor skills Balance and Equilibrium

5. Educational Status of Children with Hearing Impairments (Tigray, special school for the deaf)

Ethiopian School System 6 Secondary Education -1 st Cycle TL 2 TL 1 Early Childhood Care and Education 1 st Cycle - Primary Education - 2 nd Cycle

Ethiopian School System Cont… 2 nd Cycle Secondary Education TVET 1112L5L4L 3 Higher Education

Education of Children with Disabilities in Ethiopia (2011) Total Number of enrollment,96, 389 Educational Delivery : Special Schools Special ClassesReversed InclusionInclusive Education

Enrollment of Children with Special Needs Education in Primary schools (grades 1-8) (MoE,2011) DisabilityMaleFemaleTotal Visual Motor Hearing Intellectual Other Total

Education of Children with Disabilities in Ethiopia : Challenges

7. Early Intervention and inclusive practices Early Intervention  Traditional practices  Home-based services  Early childhood education Inclusive Practices  Discussions and debates  Challenges of IE

Reflections Attitude towards disability G.Negative Attitude towards CwDs MIXED Attitude towards IE MIXED Interaction Home & School NO & YES Cycles

No-Cycle Predominant Lack of acceptance & sensitivity No sharing & exchange of feelings Little eye & physical contact No attention Child’s need systems Low expectation

Sensitizing parents & teachers & to promote Yes-Cycle Responding to the needs of the child Body contact and eye contact Sharing feelings Mediation of competence

QUESTIONS TO PONDER 1.How do people understand and communicate with a deaf person in your community ? 2. Compare & contrast the learning characteristics of a deaf child and a hard of hearing child?

QUESTIONS TO PONDER 3.What are the developmental implications of being pre-lingually and post-lingually deaf ? 4.Discuss the development implications of a child brought –up in a deaf and hearing family ? 5.What is your opinion about the deaf culture & the education of the deaf in an inclusive setting ?

Thank You !! The child needs an adult to convey, interpret, analyze and understand his/her world [open the appetite] World Adult Child