Inadequate welfare services for the deaf

Denial of right to welfare services for the deaf

Nature

Many hearing-impaired people are illiterate, unemployed and under-employed due to widespread prejudice by the general public and a lack, especially in developing countries, of the basic tools for rehabilitation (such as education in lipreading, and hearing aids). Special education, when it exists, is often disregarded or postponed. As a rule the deaf are taught a manual art or craft, regardless of their individual attitudes and preferences; vocational pre-counselling and counselling systems are neglected and often the choice is confined to the three or four trades taught in the school workshop.

Background

The history of the education of the deaf begins properly in the 16th century. Before this time those born deaf were the subject of philosophic speculation but it was generally assumed that they were incapable of education. However, despite increasing interest, it was only in 1778 in Leipzig, Germany, that the first state school for deaf children was opened. One year later the state school for deaf children in Vienna was founded. The deaf were the first group of handicapped children to receive special education.

Incidence

Globally, an estimated 430 million people have disabling hearing loss, yet access to specialized welfare services for the deaf remains limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries. According to the World Health Organization, only 17% of those who could benefit from hearing aids actually use them, reflecting broader gaps in social support, education, and employment services tailored to the deaf community.
In 2018, a report by the National Association of the Deaf in India highlighted that only 1% of deaf children had access to formal education in sign language, underscoring the severe inadequacy of welfare services for the deaf in the country.

Claim

One cannot over-emphasize the seriousness of a situation which deprives disabled people of one of the fundamental rights of man: the choice of employment. Its psychological consequences are self-evident, for in most cases the deaf are forced into a type of work they do not like, which makes them feel all the more ill at ease in society.

Counter-claim

While some may argue that inadequate welfare services for the deaf are a pressing issue, I contend that this is not a significant problem. Many deaf individuals successfully navigate life using technology and community support. The focus should be on personal responsibility and innovation rather than relying on welfare services. Society has made strides in accessibility, and the emphasis should shift to empowering individuals rather than perpetuating a narrative of inadequacy.