{"id":4588,"date":"2024-05-02T17:36:53","date_gmt":"2024-05-02T17:36:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.unspokenasl.com\/aslblogs\/?p=4588"},"modified":"2025-04-03T16:54:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T16:54:00","slug":"education-and-the-deaf-community-in-greece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unspokenasl.com\/aslblogs\/education-and-the-deaf-community-in-greece\/","title":{"rendered":"Education and the Deaf Community in Greece"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Greece is a beautiful country and tourist hotspot, but many people don’t know it\u2019s home to a vibrant Deaf community of over 50,000 people. The Deaf community in Greece has faced many obstacles, including a lack of access to education and limited opportunities for integration into society. However, recent efforts by the government to recognize Greek Sign Language and improve Deaf education have provided hope for a brighter future. In this article, we will explore the challenges in education and the Deaf community in Greece and the progress made so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Challenges Faced by the Deaf Community in Greece<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Greek Sign Language<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Hellenic Mediterranean University published a report about Greek Sign Language (GSL), recognized in 2000 by the Greek government. This law strived to integrate Sign Language into society and cater to the needs of Deaf people. In 2008, there was a push to improve Deaf education with higher eligibility requirements for Deaf educators. It created a qualification system for language acquisition that Deaf educators needed to obtain to teach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educating the Deaf in Greece<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Problems in Deaf education are nothing new. The community has only ever received minor attention from hearing society. That can impede progress for the right to have a quality education. Greece is especially late with establishing Deaf schools compared to the rest of Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning in 1956 and 1973, the parents of Deaf children established a private charter school for Deaf and hard-of-hearing kids. Both of these schools were in Athens. In addition, in the Greek part of Cyprus, Nicosia, George Markou founded a school for Deaf children between 1953 and 1954 under the British administration. It\u2019s a private institution that serves the Turkish and Greek Deaf communities today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unavailability of Statistics <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The Deaf community in Greece faces a significant challenge due to the lack of accurate statistics on their population. According to the Universit\u00e4t Siegen in Germany, there are only 14 educational organizations for Deaf individuals, covering primary to tertiary level education. Additionally, there are reportedly 9 Deaf primary schools across the country. However, the Ministry of Education in Greece states that these statistics give an inaccurate representation of the Deaf community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the recognition of GSL by the Greek government and the toughening of teaching requirements, Deaf awareness in Greece is still stagnant. The problem is communication. Entering into a hearing world with only sign language leads to social isolation. It\u2019s especially true if they become Deaf later on in life. Or, some Deaf people might\u2019ve been born into hearing families. That isolation can be almost unbearable for people and lead to mental health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Attitudes Towards the Deaf Create Their Experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There seems to be a general attitude towards the Deaf. People fear what they don\u2019t understand. That leads to discrimination in one way or another. With Deaf people, the hearing community generally thinks of them as incapable because they lack one sense. They put them into one group of being disabled and unable to contribute to society. It\u2019s why the Deaf community lacks any progression opportunities. In Greece, this isolation used against the Deaf community results in Deaf students dropping out of school due to mediocre curriculum and lack of support from the administration that should facilitate different learning styles and needs. The lack of qualified Deaf teachers and an appropriate curriculum leads to a lack of motivation and enormous problems for the Deaf community. Studies also suggest that Deaf students should be enrolled in a program early on to acquire skills in bilingual education. That is one thing that could impact their learning experience when they receive an inclusive education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information and Communication Technology in Deaf Education<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

However, 2001 was the birth of the 21st century and the digital age. The Hellenic Mediterranean University published a study about technological advancement in the Greek education system. Cell phones, computer programs, and devices can significantly improve the Deaf experience in life and education. For a long time, there was a deprivation of resources for Deaf students in Greece. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lack of digital learning resources for Deaf people truly puts them at a disadvantage in the 21st century. Accessibility for Deaf people is a human rights issue addressed by the United Nations,  but some countries are slower than others at responding to this problem. According to Digital Accessibility in the Education of the Deaf in Greece, <\/em>by Vassilis Kourbetis, around 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents. They have little exposure to natural Sign Language until they are put face-to-face with another Deaf person. Therefore, they could spend years struggling to understand their world. Little access to technology in the classroom slows down social, emotional, and academic growth for Deaf students. Early exposure to GSL in schools can significantly improve Deaf students\u2019 development throughout their academic years and propel literacy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The US Department of Education also did a study in 2009, \u201cWhy Deaf Pupils have Reduced Graduation rates from Compulsory Education in Greece: An investigation of factors related to their low attainment<\/em>.\u201d One contributing factor is the lack of Deaf schools available. If Deaf students attend a school, it doesn\u2019t mean the system will support them. However, the situation has improved since passing a qualification law for GSL. The system is not perfect, which doesn\u2019t help Deaf students. All of these adjustments and challenges to being in mainstream schooling that just isn\u2019t made for Deaf students lead to decreased motivation and morale, which eventually leads to giving up education entirely. Teachers are still demanding more for Deaf students because of the disheartening situation. It is several things, like the lack of interpreters and support overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Efforts to Improve Deaf Education in Greece with Technology<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo by August de Richelieu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technology is an indispensable tool in education. Assistive technology could be the solution to the Deaf education issue and to excel in the modern world. Proper teaching techniques and the incorporation of eBooks from an early age help Deaf students acquire literacy skills, but there is a shortage. Deaf people rely so much on visual cues, which is why assistive technologies tremendously impact their educational experience. Luckily, some organizations recognize the importance of technology and take action to provide the necessary resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Platforms and Apps Suitable for the Deaf<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The group that published their findings in Digital Accessibility in the Education of the Deaf in Greece <\/em>developed a universal project for ICT ( Information and Communications Technology)  in Deaf education. The system derives from the Greek education system, including math, science, history, Greek language, and more. It\u2019s now the most accessible Deaf learning program. Native signers and curriculum developers built this innovative learning program. It\u2019s interactive with structured learning modules, signed videos, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since its creation, the results from this program show promising results in advancing Deaf education through technology. The holistic approach and deliverables of the course show that it meets the needs of the Deaf students. If the projects continue throughout Greece, it will give the Deaf community more opportunities in their academic career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speak with Signs is another platform aiming to assist the Greek Deaf community. This app isn\u2019t just a dictionary. It\u2019s an interactive system for users who want to learn GSL through videos, quizzes, and games. It\u2019s available in the mobile app and website. The significance of this platform is that it offers access to GSL for everyone, including those who do not know sign language. Overall, this app will enhance language abilities and education for everyone who wants to be part of the Deaf community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Future Prospects for Deaf Education in Greece<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"\/<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo by Lukas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social isolation, discrimination, and lack of access to technology and resources are among the challenges that Deaf students and the community as a whole face. However, with the increasing use of technology and the recognition of GSL, there is hope for a brighter future for the Deaf community in Greece. It is essential to continue to work towards creating a more inclusive society that values and supports the Deaf community, allowing them to participate and contribute to society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the potential of the Deaf community can bring awareness to improving education. To learn more about the status of Deaf education all over the world, visit https:\/\/unspokenasl.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo Credit to: Photo by Jimmy Teoh<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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