Integrating South African Sign Language into the Curriculum
Challenge
The issue identified is that providing sign language interpreters and officiating sign language alone falls short of fully addressing the needs of the deaf community. These interpreters are not always readily available in the daily lives of deaf individuals. In the workplace, deaf individuals encounter discrimination and exclusion due to misunderstandings about their capabilities and communication needs. Employers often wrongly assume that they impede business efficiency or struggle with certain tasks, thus limiting job prospects and fostering unequal treatment. Communication barriers in professional and personal settings prevent deaf individuals from accessing services, understanding their rights, and receiving fair representation, further deepening their marginalisation. Hearing impairments significantly affect people’s lives, especially as they age. While hearing aids and Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are incredibly helpful in improving communication, affordability remains a significant challenge. This issue is particularly pronounced in poorer communities where access to these devices is limited.
The Census 2022 data reveals that hearing aid usage in South Africa increases with age, with fewer than 1% of younger people (5-49 years) using them. Usage rises slightly among middle-aged individuals (50-64 years) and significantly among those 65 and older, with 8.6% of those aged 75-79 and 10.4% of those 85+ using hearing aids. Overall, only 1.2% of the population uses hearing aids, but the need is much higher in older age groups. By racial group, hearing aid usage is highest among White people
(4.2%), followed by Indians/Asians (2.2%), Coloured people (1.0%), and Black Africans (0.8%). The lower usage among Black Africans and Coloured communities may be due to systemic neglect. Economic factors also play a role, as lower income levels and poverty make it challenging for individuals to afford these devices, which can be a significant barrier in financially strained communities. Limited access to healthcare services might further reduce opportunities for identifying and treating hearing impairments. Additionally, there may be a lack of awareness and fewer initiatives aimed at recording and addressing hearing impairments within these vulnerable communities.
Proposal
The issue identified is that providing sign language interpreters and officiating sign language alone falls short of fully addressing the needs of the deaf community. These interpreters are not always readily available in the daily lives of deaf individuals. In the workplace, deaf individuals encounter discrimination and exclusion due to misunderstandings about their capabilities and communication needs. Employers often wrongly assume that they impede business efficiency or struggle with certain tasks, thus limiting job prospects and fostering unequal treatment. Communication barriers in professional and personal settings prevent deaf individuals from accessing services, understanding their rights, and receiving fair representation, further deepening their marginalisation. Hearing impairments significantly affect people’s lives, especially as they age. While hearing aids and Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) are incredibly helpful in improving communication, affordability remains a significant challenge. This issue is particularly pronounced in poorer communities where access to these devices is limited.
The Census 2022 data reveals that hearing aid usage in South Africa increases with age, with fewer than 1% of younger people (5-49 years) using them. Usage rises slightly among middle-aged individuals (50-64 years) and significantly among those 65 and older, with 8.6% of those aged 75-79 and 10.4% of those 85+ using hearing aids. Overall, only 1.2% of the population uses hearing aids, but the need is much higher in older age groups. By racial group, hearing aid usage is highest among White people
(4.2%), followed by Indians/Asians (2.2%), Coloured people (1.0%), and Black Africans (0.8%). The lower usage among Black Africans and Coloured communities may be due to systemic neglect. Economic factors also play a role, as lower income levels and poverty make it challenging for individuals to afford these devices, which can be a significant barrier in financially strained communities. Limited access to healthcare services might further reduce opportunities for identifying and treating hearing impairments. Additionally, there may be a lack of awareness and fewer initiatives aimed at recording and addressing hearing impairments within these vulnerable communities.
Impact
The integration of sign language into the education system is a matter of human rights, equality, and social justice. By making sign language education mandatory, we uphold the principles of linguistic diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility. Empowering both Deaf and hearing individuals to communicate effectively, learn from one another, and build a more inclusive society for future generations. Improved SASL fluency would profoundly impact the judiciary, enabling more judges to understand and fairly represent deaf individuals, thereby preventing issues like those in Kruse v State (27 August 2018). It will create more opportunities for deaf individuals in professional fields rather than excluding them, leading to more achievements like the crowning of the first Miss SA with a hearing impairment. Mandatory sign language education promotes inclusivity, improves judicial fairness, and expands opportunities for deaf individuals, fostering a more inclusive society. It would foster greater understanding and reduce discrimination, expanding job opportunities across diverse fields. By tackling these challenges ground up, we build a foundation for long-term equality and integration for differently-abled individuals. Embedding these values in education honours the spirit of Ubuntu, which emphasises our collective humanity and interconnectedness. This fosters a democracy that genuinely respects and includes all voices, creating a united and just community that reflects both compassionate principles and democratic ideals.