Achieving academic excellence in deaf learners
The influence of early exposure to rich language (2017).
This briefing paper summarises a research project conducted in collaboration with Deaf Child Worldwide, VSO Kenya and University College London.
It investigates the ways in which special education teachers in Kenya support the early language development of deaf children.
In partnership with VSO Kenya, the research revealed that many deaf children in Kenya have significant challenges learning to communicate and in some cases are delayed by as much as 10 years in the development of their first language.
The study also found that teachers are unprepared to support deaf children and were confused about how to teach Kenyan Sign Language (KSL), compared to other languages.
The research also provides recommendations which can support the Government of Kenya to fulfil its commitments to children with disabilities and help improve early years education for deaf children.