Raising a Deaf Child in a Hearing Family in Ukraine: Socio-psychological and educational challenges faced by parents raising deaf and hard-of-hearing children
Kobel, Ihor. (2014). Raising a deaf child in a hearing family in Ukraine: Socio-psychological and educational challenges faced by parents raising deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Deutschland: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing.
The book is a mixed methods research study in Ukraine outlining the experiences of parents bringing up deaf or hard of hearing children (Kobel, 2014). It is the very first research study of its kind in Ukraine which focuses on parents with deaf and hard of hearing children. The beginning of the book explores the concept of disability in Ukraine by highlighting the cultural beliefs, attitudes and perspectives towards disability and how they serve as barriers for people with disabilities. It also chronicles the history of deafness in Ukraine where the use of Ukrainian Sign Language was opposed and oralism was promoted. It details present day changes where researchers have recently discovered and started advocating for the use of Ukrainian Sign Language to be used in schools to improve educational outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children.
It was found that it took on average nearly 2 years from the time of diagnosis of hearing loss, for the child to be fitted with hearing aids which is a cause for concern. Communication challenges and ineffective professional services were also a source of frustration for parents among many other issues.
All in all, this book gives a clear overview and insight into the challenges faced by families with deaf and hard of hearing children in Ukraine, and provides further direction for researchers and educators on how to improve the situation for deaf and hard of hearing children as well as their families.
It was found that it took on average nearly 2 years from the time of diagnosis of hearing loss, for the child to be fitted with hearing aids which is a cause for concern. Communication challenges and ineffective professional services were also a source of frustration for parents among many other issues.
All in all, this book gives a clear overview and insight into the challenges faced by families with deaf and hard of hearing children in Ukraine, and provides further direction for researchers and educators on how to improve the situation for deaf and hard of hearing children as well as their families.
