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In this @WHOBulletin special issue @wyattehall @KristinSnoddon + I write language acquisition is human rights issue for deaf people + urge policymakers ensure deaf children gain access to natural signed languages to promote their healthy development. tinyurl.com/y5yobv9k (1/9)
Some quotes from the article in this thread: "Global reports … highlight a stark picture, with an estimated less than 2% of 34 million deaf children worldwide receiving access to a signed language in early childhood." 2/9 @KristinSnoddon
"Early, immersive exposure to a natural language is important for timely neurocognitive and linguistic development of any child. For most deaf children, access to a signed language is an important precondition for this development" @wyattehall (video in ASL) 3/9
"Signed languages appear to be important not only for optimal development of deaf children but also for achieving the desired outcomes of cochlear implants… signing children with cochlear implants outperform non-signing children with implants in speech and language outcomes."4/9
"The research evidence strongly suggests that language deprivation,rather than strictly hearing loss, is the underlying cause of poor language,educational and health outcomes .. traceable to a lack of signed language exposure for deaf children in their early development" (ASL)5/9
"Equally important are the provisions of Article 24, outlining the need to ensure children have language-rich settings with signed language-using peers and teachers who can provide direct access to the curriculum in sign language" 6/9
"Access to a signed language enhances the overall effectiveness of global screening and intervention systems, as well as fully inclusive education and health care for deaf children and adults." (ASL video) 7/9
"CRPD obliges governments to secure the human right to signed language in legislation…there exists a specific requirement … that [deaf children] should be educated in languages that are fully accessible…and in environments that maximize … academic and social development." 8/9
"Policymakers should ensure that deaf children and their families are given unhindered access to signed languages as a primary option in all early intervention measures, continuing throughout the child’s development and educational career and across the lifespan." 9/9
