Implications of schooling on social participation of young persons who are deaf in Nyeri county, Kenya

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Date
2013-07
Authors
Sore, Inviolata lunani
Wawire, V. K.
Mugo, John Kabutha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Nairobi Academic Press
Abstract
While social participation is a fundamental human right, persons who are deaf face barriers in achieving meaningful social integration. This study sought to deterrnine the contribution of schooling as an enabler to social participation for young persons with deafness. Within a qualitative design, life narratives of six (6) young person were documented by using semi-structured interviews, an observation guide, visual images and a focus group discussion. The six (6) accounts were complemented with interviews of significant others. The study establishes that largely, schooling is significant enabler to social participation, with the greatest contribution of schooling being communication and social skills. Subsequently, levels of participation vary with quantity of schooling. This paper concludes that even when other determinants of social participation may be influential, schooling is certainly essential to facilitate social integration of young persons who are deaf. However, even with the same level of schooling, social organization and family background emerge as key factors 0f influence to social participation.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Education, Social participation, Disabilities, Deaf Kenya, World Federation of the Deaf, UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, Discrimination
Citation
Journal of special needs and disabilities studies vol. vol. no. 1 p.89-99. 1 July 2013