The Deaf In The Philippines

The Philippines has an estimated deaf population of 4.2 million but only a small portion of this has access to education suited for their needs. There are a number of reasons for this, among them: the deaf family’s lack of financial  resources, the lack of special school, the lack of special education (SPED) teachers, the parents and educator’s lack of understanding of the unique problems of the deaf, and the ignorance of opportunities available to the deaf.

Although a minority, the deaf are  still important threads in the fabric of Philippine society. They have their own potentials and contributions if ever their needs are recognized. Left alone, they are burdens to their families and to the community in general. But the deaf are too important to be left out in the tapestry of God’s work.