The document discusses empowering the Deaf community in Jordan through sign language. It outlines how using Jordanian Sign Language can engage the Deaf community as a linguistic minority with their own culture. It then details efforts to empower the Deaf community in Jordan, such as developing English language and teacher training courses to improve education and employment opportunities. The goal is to promote inclusion of the Deaf community in society through access to information and role models.

1. Exploring and Empowering
the Deaf community
through Sign Language
Mohammed Salha, Jordanian
Paul Scott, British

2. Welcome
We will be talking about....
• Using sign language as a medium to engage
the Deaf community.
• How using sign language can empower the
Deaf community

3. Looking at Sign Language and
Deaf community.
Since our work is based in Jordan, and this means using
Jordanian Sign Language, to engage the community.
Jordanian Sign Language, is a language by its own Right, as
recent linguistic work has been done on this language.
(Hendriks, 2004)
Deaf community is recognised as a community, with research
been conducted by anthropologists, because they have
own language, history, art, education, social, politics.
Sign language differential in all over the world.

4. Empowering the Deaf community in
Jordan
• Working with the community, finding out what is
missing, the gaps in provisions in Jordan for Deaf
community.
• Reading and writing skills, in both Arabic and English,
are commonly below average. (Hends)
• Arabic, as well English is not fully acquired, thus
barriers being brought up in different areas such as:
Employment
Education
Other areas

5. Developing teaching resources
• Setting up English classes with the support from British
Council in Amman, Jordan
• Developing English Teacher training course for Deaf
people, teaching the teacher linking to peer education,
Deaf sign language user to Deaf sign language user.
• Positive Impact.
• Working with Jordanian Deaf community, to ensure full
participation.
• Role models for future generations.
• English Learning Platform

7. Inclusion not exclusion
• Inclusion of Deaf community, gives them
opportunity to be a member of society.
• Access to information, opportunities.
• Supporting other, developing knowledge
exchange platform (Deaf Space).
• Giving them skills to break down barriers,
improving quality of life.

8. With thank you to...
• British Council, Jordan.
• International Institute for Sign Language and
Deaf Studies, Preston, UK.
And to Deaf community in Jordan.

9. Any Questions?