Deaf Education in Cyprus 1 Vasiliki Tittoni Speech and Language Pathologist

The School for the Deaf was founded in Nicosia in Today the school has about 10 students, but 50 years ago had about 100 students. Seeing someone these numbers will think that the role of the school shrinks and approaches to be abolished. But the role has just changed. After the Law of 1999 for equal education for all children, most deaf children attending mainstream schools (Inclusion) The School for the Deaf has adapted and evolved to accommodate the new realities of today.. 2

The role of the School for the Deaf is multidimensional and very important for the deaf students and their families. The school has gradually reshaped its role in providing services and has formed a new identity without eliminating its historic role as a daily specialized school. Primary goals for the School for the Deaf today are: Audiology Centre Early intervention Psychological support for families Social Support 3

The main communication method used in the education of deaf children in School for the Deaf is Bilingual Education. The philosophy behind this is the instruction in sign language as a native or first language to children with hearing loss and spoken and written greek language. 4

After the enactment of the Recognition of Cyprus Sign Language Law in 2006, the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture in cooperation with the School for the Deaf and Deaf Federation of Cyprus proceeded to record the Cyprus Sign Language. The project started in May 2007 and ended in October 2011 with the completion of 3 visual aid products: The Grammar of Traditional Type (book, CD) Communicating Grammar (book, CD) Conceptual Dictionary (book, CD) 5

The first cochlear implant recipient in Cyprus date back to the 1990s which occurred thanks to the initiative of the children’s parents who carefully monitored the evolution of technology in the field. The application of this modern technology helps infants with hearing loss to regain their hearing, thus having the opportunity to develop communication and language. In recent years, many children are recorded to have received bilateral cochlear implants around the age of 10 months. Today, surgeries are performed at Nicosia General Hospital by experienced doctors who arrive from overseas following an invitation by the State. 6

In Cyprus it is estimated that 20 children are born each year with bilateral hearing loss. The Newborn Hearing Screening Program has been applied in Cyprus since This has significantly helped in the early detection and diagnosis of hearing loss and ensures early supportive intervention. The prospective test is performed on all infants between 7 and 21 day after birth. The test becomes free at Makarios Hospital Audiology Center and the General Hospital of Nicosia. 7

The Education and Training of Children with Special Needs Law 1999 Number_113(I)_1999.pdf Number_113(I)_1999.pdf As of September 2001, the Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture, has put into effect the above Law, which regulates the detection of children with special educational needs; their assessment and the development of an Individualized Educational Programme; their placement in the most appropriate educational setting with the provision of both teachers and educational resources to meet their needs; and for the ongoing evaluation of the child’s progress. 8

Special educational services for deaf students The Cyprus Ministry of Education and Culture provides special educational services at all levels of education: Pre elementary and elementary -96 deaf and hard of hearing students High school and technical school -98 deaf and hard of hearing students Inclusion In keeping with current philosophy, the Law ensures that the majority of deaf and hard of hearing students are educated: In Mainstream Classrooms at their Local School and In Special Educational Classes within mainstream schools Only a few students are at the School for the Deaf 9

Deaf and hard of hearing students are educated in the mainstream classroom at their local school where special tuition is provided for, in a resource room during a specified period of the day. For those children in Pre-elementary and Elementary settings this service is provided by Special Education Teachers and Speech and Language Pathologists. In High Schools and Technical Schools this is provided by specified subject teachers. Special emphasis is given to ensure curriculum access with the use of assistive technology. Furthermore, modifications are made to teaching and learning, to classroom organisation (layout), to curriculum schedule, etc. 10

Special educational provision is also provided in Specialised Units for deaf and hard of hearing students within mainstream schools. These Specialised Units provide: a more intensive approach by a Special Education Teacher and a Speech Language Pathologist to a small group of students (8 max.) in a class, whilst maintaining close contact and (age appropriate) integration with the reference class that the students are enrolled in, at the school. 11

Instruction strategies Deaf education in Cyprus is designed specifically to meet the educational, linguistic, cultural, social and cognitive needs of the individual student. There are 2 main communication approaches used in the education of deaf and hard of hearing students in Mainstream Classrooms and Specialised Units in mainstream schools: Oral Communication – This is an approach where emphasis is placed on auditory training, articulation ability and lip-reading; and assumes that all information can be transmitted by using spoken language. This approach usually excludes the use of a signed language. Total Communication – This refers to the use of a combination of signs and spoken language, which includes sign language, finger-spelling, gestures, visual imagery, writing, voice and lip-reading. 12

Thank you!!! 13