For deaf children, their eyes are their lifelines. It is through their eyes that knowledge is conveyed to the brain.
Sign Language:
- Gives deaf children a ready tool for discovery.
- Allows deaf children to interact with the world.
- When used with speech, integrates spoken and signed vocabulary.
- Allows deaf children to have ready access to the curriculum and to learning.
- Actually supports lip-
reading and social interaction. - Encourages reliance upon residual hearing by allowing children to double check what they believe they've heard.
- Provides deaf children with the connection to the Deaf community and Deaf culture.
The Signs for Success programme:
- Creates "deaf-
friendly" environments for deaf children in mainstream schools. - Provides the means by which Deaf children access the curriculum and learning.
- Encourages the use of Deaf role models for both deaf and hearing children in mainstream schools.
- Promotes the acceptance of BSL as a language of education. If a visual language works for hearing children, then it goes without saying it works for deaf children.
- Is Inclusion in Action.
- Encourages peer interaction in deaf children's own language.