Promote Deaf Literacy in Nigeria

As we continue in our efforts towards promoting Deaf literacy through the Indigenous Nigerian Sign Language, we adopt a multidisciplinary approach in promoting the Indigenous Sign Language among deaf and hearing individuals in Nigerian Deaf Community. One of those approaches is signing a memorandum of understanding with the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf [NNAD] as we reported in our previous report. Following the signing of MoU with NNAD, a Steering Committee was set up to oversee issues regarding subsequent documentations and the continued promotion of the indigenous Sign Language. Deaf members of the Steering Committee are currently receiving training on the Principles and Practices of Sign Language Linguistics and Sign Language Documentation with reference to Nigerian Sign Language.

As that is going on, we are laying the ground work for the launching of the hardware and online pedagogical materials on Indigenous Nigerian Sign Language [INSL]. In addition, we are identifying with some Deaf related grassroot groups such as Friends of the Deaf Foundation, Deaf Girl Child Initiative, etc., plus the parents’ groups, to launch awareness about INSL and need to promote Deaf literacy through it. We believe that all these groups will play strong roles in conjunction with NNAD in spreading the word. At the same time, S-DELI documentation team is negotiating for other possible communities to be documented while we currently process the signed language videos from the first outreach for online uploading, we are set to sensitize the members of NNAD on the new formed relationship for a great synergy.

Once more, we emphasize that we are grateful for the supports we have got so far from our community of supporters both home and abroad, without which we would never get to where we are today. We acknowledge the fact that funding is key to every step of our project  and so we are equally hopeful for more, because we may not get to the next stage of achievement without adequate financial supports and we may not succeed in creating language access to numerous deaf children in the rural communities in Nigeria, who are locked up in their world of limited communication and little hope for a brighter future. That is why this work is important to us. We pledge to not let down the investments we and all our supporters have made so far and the hope we have kindled so far in the lives of many deaf individuals through the little we have done. We as a team are ready to use and maximize whatever little resources we get to ensure that the job is done. As little funding continues to trickle in, we hope to apply new strategies as participate in any forthcoming fund raise opportunities.

Links:

• Documentation of Indigenous Nigerian Sign Language Page