Deaf education in China: history, current issues, and emerging deaf voices.
An overview is provided of (a) deaf education in China, (b) views of deaf Chinese, and (c) recent empowering international collaborations. China's national policy focuses on oral/aural education and hearing rehabilitation. However, everyday practice in schools for deaf children includes various forms of Chinese Sign Language. Early childhood education focuses on speech and hearing. Elementary and secondary school curricula reflect low expectations for deaf students and lack the same academic content provided to hearing students. There are limited higher education opportunities. There are no support services such as note takers or interpreters for mainstreamed students. There are no deaf teacher preparation or interpreter training programs. Jobs are few; the vast majority of deaf adults are unemployed. Deaf people interviewed for the article describe their needs, their dreams, and the changes they are witnessing, which result in part from recent empowering international collaborations.
Lytle
Richard R
RR
Department of Education, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA.
Johnson
Kathryn E
KE
Hui
Yang Jun
YJ
D000124:Achievement; D002681:China; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D060345:Education of Persons with Hearing Disabilities; D004519:Education, Special / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000266:history / Q000523:psychology; D012813:Sign Language; D012944:Social Support