Project Background

  • The Ministry of Education approved of our project on the 8th of September b2016.
  • We commenced basic data collection from the schools for the Deaf in Lagos State a few weeks after.
  • Our basic data collection included:
    • School name
    • School location
    • School type (i.e. inclusive or special)
    • Students’ population
    • Teachers’ population
    • Students’ case study, etc.

Project Objectives

  • To produce a comprehensive documentation of deaf schools/units in Lagos State.
  • To produce a comprehensive documentation of deaf students and their signed language in Lagos State.
  • To document the teachers and parents of deaf students in Lagos State.
  • To introduce Deaf Peer Mentoring Program.
  • To introduce Family Intervention Program to parents of deaf students.

The Lead Team

  1. Emma Asonye, PhD. Research Scholar, University of New Mexico, USA
    President, Save the Deaf and EndangeredLanguages Initiative.
  2. Lisa Swanson
    MA (Gallaudet) Deaf Counsellor/Mentor, New Mexico, USA
  3. Ann Swanson
    Early/Family Intervention Expert, New Mexico School for the Deaf, USA
  4. Promise Anyanwu
    Lagos Coordinator, Save the Deaf and Endangered Languages Initiative.

Project Data Facts

  • We have identified 41 schools that have deaf sections. (Number was confusing at the beginning)
  • One deaf association with over 1000 adult members.
  • We have got some basic data from 23 schools.
  • We visited 5 out of the 24 Schools.
  • The 5 schools have a total 209 deaf students, i.e. all schools have an average of 41.8 students.
  • Students age range – 13 to 25 years (secondary), 5 to 17 (primary). (The age of 5 is interesting here)
  • Almost all students start school very late.
  • From case history and interactions, ¾ of the students acquired hearing loss after birth-age 0-5yrs.
  • Total of 60 parents met, only 3 can attempt to sign.
S-DELI Team in Lagos for Outreach

Summary of Project Activities

    1. From the onset of our study till date:
      • 41 Deaf schools/units have been identified, comprising:
        • All inclusive
        • 36 Primary, 5 Secondary
      • Basic data have been collected from 24 schools
    2.  During our 5-day Outreach/School Visit
      • 5 schools were visited
      • Sensitization forums were held with parents, teachers and students.
      • Peer mentoring program (PMP) was introduced