A STATUS STUDY OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE DEAF AND IDENTIFICATION OF INTERVENTION AREAS

Abstract

Education is awakening, education is knowledge and knowledge is power. Education is preparation for life. The kind of life an individual will lead as an adult, the kind of accomplishments a person will have between the age of 25 to 65 years are largely affected by the type of education one has initially. It is true for a hearing person and it is true for a deaf person as well. Not just true but very true in the sense that for most of the deaf the formal institute of education i.e. a school is the place from where they usually start having some sense of self-identification and self-worth. School thus is a major component of the habilitation/rehabilitation process of the deaf. It is said that for more than any other child, a school plays greater role in a deaf child's life. Educational opportunities equip a deaf child with communication skills, academic knowledge and vocational skills along with contributing to his cognitive, social, and emotional growth and also his personality development.