The Emergence of the Deaf Community in Nicaragua
Polich, L. (2005). The emergence of the deaf community in Nicaragua. Washington, D.C.: Gallaudet University Press.
The book provides an account into the emergence of the Deaf community in Nicaragua and Nicaraguan Sign Language over a period of sixty years when previously the Deaf community did not exist. The author details a nine-year investigation into the Nicaraguan Deaf Community which captures issues they face - negative cultural attitudes and beliefs towards deafness, communication barriers, marginalization by assigning the label “Eternal Child” where Deaf children will remain dependent on family members throughout their lives, the strong focus on oralism in the history of special education for Deaf children and growing receptivity towards sign language later on. Deaf children were often enrolled with children with other disabilities such as mental retardation or blindness. There are also recounts of the experiences of Deaf people in the country.
Educational issues and transition to adulthood as well as the formation of sign language and the Deaf community in the 1980s are highlighted. Towards the end, this book underscores the achievements of the Nicaraguan Deaf community to set up a Deaf association, teaching sign language to educators and other Deaf people, starting their own families and eking out a living for themselves and to provide for their families. This indicates to any reader that Deaf people are capable of managing their own affairs independently when they are equipped with the education and training they need.
Educational issues and transition to adulthood as well as the formation of sign language and the Deaf community in the 1980s are highlighted. Towards the end, this book underscores the achievements of the Nicaraguan Deaf community to set up a Deaf association, teaching sign language to educators and other Deaf people, starting their own families and eking out a living for themselves and to provide for their families. This indicates to any reader that Deaf people are capable of managing their own affairs independently when they are equipped with the education and training they need.
