CHALLENGES PARENTS FACE IN LEARNING KENYAN SIGN LANGUAGE: HEARING PARENTS OF DEAF CHILDREN'S PERSPECTIVES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47604/ajep.1159Keywords:
Challenges, Kenyan Sign Language, Learners With Hearing Impairments, Parents, LearningAbstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the challenges faced in learning Kenyan sign language from the perspective of hearing parents of deaf learners.
Methodology: This study employed case study design, qualitative research approach adopting the interpretive paradigm. The study adopted purposive sampling technique to come up with a study sample of 177 informants. Data was collected using interview schedules, Focus Group Discussion guides and Document analysis guide. Qualitative data was transcribed, coded and organized into themes and reported.
Findings: Results revealed that parents had three major challenges in learning Kenyan sign language: that Kenyan sign language was too difficult to learn, it was too costly to learn and that the institutions for parents to learn in were not readily available.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The recommendations of this study were that; hearing parents of children with hearing impairments be given support in the process of learning Kenyan sign language and that parents should make deliberate efforts to learn Kenyan sign language and other modes of communication in order to communicate with their children with hearing impairments.
Downloads
References
African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (2013). A Review of Laws and Policies affecting the Deaf in Kenya. African Network for the prevention and protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect. Regional Office.bMyner Logistics Ltd
Bertram, C. & Christiansen, I. M. (2013). Understanding Research. An introduction to Reading Research. Retrieved from https://www.efaqt.com/en/understanding-research-an-introduction-to-reading-research-9780627031175
Braun, V. & Clarke, V. (2006). Using Thematic Analysis. Qualitative Research (3) 77-101
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design. Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Method Approaches (3rd ed.) United Kingdom: Sage..
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative inquiry and research design: choosing among five approaches. (3rd ed.) United Kingdom: Sage
Gray, J. (2011). Why don't some hearing parents of deaf children use sign language? In American Annals of the Deaf, 135,211-215.
Kimberly, A. W. & Thad, S. (2010). We need to communicate! Helping parents of Deaf children Learn American sign language. Atlanta: Georgia Institute of Technology.
Kimu, M. (2012). Parent involvement in public primary schools in Kenya. University of South Africa: Patterson
McLeod, S. (2008). Case study method. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/casestudy.html
Ministry of Education Science and Technology (2009). National Special Needs Education
Policy Framework. Nairobi: Government Printer
Randiki, F.O. (2002). Historical Development of Special Education. Nairobi: KISE.
Republic of Kenya (2001). Children's Act (2001). Nairobi: Government Printers.
Republic of Kenya (2010). The constitution. Nairobi: Government Printers.
Rule, P. & John, V. (2011). Your guide to case study research. ISBN 978030048. Retrieved from www.vanschaiknet.com
Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publication
Yin, R. K. (2011). Qualitative research from start to finish, The Guilford Press. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co. Available at www.amazon.co/education-research-competencies-analysis-application
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
