Rukayat Sulaimon
Deaf students often face significant barriers when navigating their educational journeys. While some challenges are universal to all learners, deaf students encounter unique obstacles—especially when they begin their formal education later than their peers.
Mr. Olaoluwa Bayonle, an educator specializing in deaf education, explains that parents often struggle to accept their child’s deafness and may lack awareness of the availability of a school for the deaf. For some families, the realization that a child is deaf is met with resistance, sometimes due to cultural and religious beliefs or the hope that their child may eventually hear.
As a result, many deaf children miss the opportunity to receive early education, which can be vital for their overall development. Late enrolment presents significant challenges, particularly in terms of language acquisition and social integration.
Mr. James Samuel, the Founder and executive director of Seams Deaf Pro Foundation, points out that children who begin their education later in life often miss out on crucial stages of language development. Without access to sign language and specialized communication tools, these children may struggle to learn to read, write, and interact with their peers. Despite these challenges, both Mr. Bayonle and Mr. Samuel agree that deaf students can excel academically, especially in subjects that are visual in nature, such as mathematics and analytical reasoning.
These subjects tend to be less dependent on language, providing deaf students with an opportunity to perform at a high level. However, when it comes to more language-dependent tasks, like essay writing, the barriers are more pronounced.
To address this, educators and policy makers must prioritize creating curricula that account for these unique needs. Key to supporting deaf students is the implementation of early interventions. Miss Abiola Abosede, a sign language interpreter, highlights the importance of early diagnosis, as well as the introduction of sign language and deaf education programs as soon as possible.
These early steps provide a foundation for strong sign language skills, which are critical to the child’s academic success. Miss Abosede advocates for schools to have the necessary resources – qualified teachers who are trained in deaf culture and psychology, as well as visual aids and specialized learning tools. With these in place, deaf students can access the same information as their hearing peers. In addition to in-school support, a broader societal shift is needed to promote inclusion at the workplace.
For full integration, employers within the schools need to understand the potentials of deaf students as well as make accommodations such as sign language interpreters or note-takers. These measures not only improve the work environment for deaf employees but also allow for their full participation and contribution, enriching the workplace with diverse perspectives and talents. Inclusive education isn’t just a matter of fairness – it is a necessity for creating a more vibrant, diverse, and capable workforce.
By providing deaf students with accessible resources and a supportive environment, they are empowered to unlock their full potential. Bayonle opines that confidence and self-esteem are key drivers of success for deaf students. When these students feel understood and supported, they are more likely to succeed academically and professionally.
Ultimately, breaking down barriers to education for deaf students requires a community-wide effort. Teachers, parents, policy makers, and employers must collaborate to ensure that these students have access to the resources they need to succeed in their academics and life, generally.
By doing so, we will not only help deaf students achieve their full potential but also create a more inclusive society where all individuals – regardless of ability – have the opportunity to thrive.
Photo credit” SpeakinFingersnetwork
#Rukayat Salmon a fellow of Africa foundation For Young Media professionals’ 2025 Disability and Inclusion media fellowship sent this piece from Lagos
