Ghana National Association of the Deaf

34 individuals trained

02 September 2010

Following earlier publication “Sandwich Programme on sign language Sign Language and Linguistics Conference” on 09 July and 16 July respectively on this website, we bring you the full report on Summer School for the Deaf (Sandwich Programme on Sign Language) for the 34 deaf individuals. Below is the report:

SUMMER SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF REPORT

15TH – 30TH JULY, 2010

 

The summer school organized by the University of Ghana and supported by the University of Central Lancashire, UK in conjunction with the British Council was aimed at increasing employment opportunities and access to higher education of the deaf in Ghana.

The course which was solely developed by UCLan was well taught by the two deaf facilitators trained in the UK for the summer school. The school took place on 15th -    30th July, 2010 at University of Ghana, Legon.

 

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE

There were thirty four (34) participants from various Regions of Ghana who participated in the summer school. The course was instructed by two (2) deaf facilitators trained in the UK for the course. The course was aimed at training participants to be trainers of the deaf through the use of films, assignment, presentation, group work, and discussions, peer teaching, and IT skills.

 

 

ACTIVITIES

There were a number of activities that took place during the summer school. Participants were made to perform role play, dramatization, peer tutoring and group work all based on sign language teaching and deaf education to buttress their understanding of the course.

Video materials on sign language teaching and various activities were shown to participants. Also, English Literacy Skills which was the main aim of the summer school was well presented and taught. Video materials on English Literacy Skills was shown and well explained. Participants were taken through intensive ICT training to enhance their access to the English Literacy Course as online resource.

 

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS

It was observed that at lease 20% of the participants have no knowledge on ICT skills and worst of all, the use of the internet. Through the training received at the summer school, participants got if not better, a little knowledge on IT skills.

Some of the participants believed that the use of Sign English (SE) and Sign Exact English (SEE) will help the deaf acquire a better command in English Language. This was a misconception which was cleared at the summer school.

The printing of presentations and lectures were delayed due to the problem of the university’s printers. Participants had to jot down everything taught and this delayed most of the presentations.

The university’s ICT Laboratory was not working so participants were made to pay for their own internet access at the café.

Participants responded well to all the assignments given to them. This shows they were co-operative in their work towards the success of the summer school.

Though there were times the facilitators argue on some vocabularies, everything went on well as planed.   

 

TOPICS TREATED  

  Concepts and issues around employability

 

  IT skills: E-mail, using the internet ( chat, web cam etc)

 

  Sign language resources on the internet

 

  Introduction to Sign Language teaching

 

  Skills for sign language teaching as a profession

 

  Ghana Sign Language(GSL) course ( Unit 1-9)

 

  Concept of peer education

 

  Sign language, deaf identity and language attitude

 

  Sign language teaching: Role  play activities

 

  English Learning platform (ELP)

 

  Ghana Sign Language vs. Signed English

 

  Online resources for English Literacy for deaf students    

 

RECOMMENDATION

We recommend that similar Summer School be organized annually to train more deaf participants to be competent in the use of Ghanaian Sign Language, improve ICT Skills which therefore will increase chances of employment opportunities for the deaf here in Ghana.

 

By: Marco Stanley Nyarko (Facilitator)
marcostany@yahoo.com
 

 

GNAD's objective

To promote equal life and economic participation for deaf and hard-hearing people in Ghana

 

Fact about GNAD

Fact about GNAD

Currently, GNAD has more than 6.000 registered members out of which 60% male & 40% female. The Youth Wing is by far the most growing component of the Association.

Event Calendar

 September (the most celebrated days in the month of September)

September 8 - International Literacy Day, recognized by the UN

September 10 - World Suicide Prevention Day

September 11 - World First Aid Day

September 15 - International Day of Democracy, recognized by the UN

September 15 - International Day of Engineers, recognized by the INDIA, in remembrance of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya

September 16 - International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, recognized by the UN

September 19 - International Talk Like a Pirate Day

September 21 - International Day of Peace, recognized by the UN

September 21 - World Alzheimer's Day

September 22 - (World) Car Free Day(s)

September 25 - International Grab Hand Day, Not Recognised by UN, but only those in the GIS Industry, and all associated IT Disciplines

September 26 - European Day of Languages

September 27 - World Tourism Day

September 28 - Right to Know Day (RightToKnowDay.net)

September 28 - World Rabies Day

During last week of September - World Maritime Day, recognized by the UN

Credit: Wikipedia search engine



Most commemorated Events in OPWDs Calendar
12th March -World Glaucoma Day
2nd April -International Day of Autism
4th May -International Day of Albinism
23rd June- National Day of the Disabled
September -International Week of the Deaf
15th October -White Cane Day
3rd December- International Day of the Disabled


Marriage at last-GAB merges with GSB
The Ghana Society of the Blind (GSB) has merged with the Ghana Association of the Blind (GAB) into one society called Ghana Blind Union (GBU).   

Upcoming Events
The XVIth World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf is slated to take place in 2011 in Durban- South Africa. For more information, please visit: www.wfd2011
Come December this year, GNAD will elect its National Officers. Our Women are encouraged to participate.

African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF) supports GNAD’s Women Wing on Hair Dressing Project. For AWDF Website address please click on: www.awdf.org

 Mwananchi supports GNAD 

Mwanachi Ghana is to support GNAD on pilot projects-“Equal access to information and communication for the deaf in Ghana”.Mwananchi Ghana -Participatory Development Associates (PDA) Limited is a private sector human development organisation. Its aim is to support processes of empowerment and self-determination in communities, organizations and individuals. For more information on PDA:  www.pdaghana.com

Sports- Football

National Paralympic Committee in Libya has invited Ghana Deaf Football Team for the participation of the First African Qualify Football Tournament for the Deaf in Tripoli - Libya on 24th to 31st October 2010. 

The participation fee of 500 euro for each participants will to cover accommodation, feeding and internal transportation through the period of our stay from arrival up to the time fixed for our departure.

 

Food for thought:

 Belling the Cat
- a fable by Aesop

The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir from their dens by night or day.

Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good enough. At last a very young Mouse got up and said:

"I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be successful. All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately that our enemy is coming."

All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought of such a plan before. But in the midst of the rejoicing over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:

"I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good. But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?"

Moral: It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.

Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.
-
William Faulkner

Never mind what others do; do better than yourself, beat your own record from day to day, and you are a success.
-
William J. H. Boetcker

Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit.
- Conrad Hilton


Do the best you can. Be proud of your accomplishments - without comparing yourself to others.

All that is necessary to break the spell of inertia and frustration is this: Act as if it were impossible to fail.
- Dorthea Brande

It is hardly possible to build anything if frustration, bitterness and a mood of helplessness prevail.
- Lech Walesa

To live a joyful and successful life, you must overcome your frustrations, whether through willpower, meditation, prayer, counseling, or relaxation techniques.

It is always the simple that produces the marvelous.
- Amelia Barr

The essence of life is not in the great victories and grand failures, but in the simple joys.

- jlh

That you may retain your self-respect, it is better to displease the people by doing what you know is right, than to temporarily please them by doing what you know is wrong.
- William J. H. Boetcker

No man who is occupied in doing a very difficult thing, and doing it very well, ever loses his self-respect.
- George Bernard Shaw


Nothing is more valuable than yourself respect. When you lose respect for yourself, you have lost everything. Whatever it takes, and whoever you upset, do what you know - deep inside - is the right thing.
Credit:  Jonathan Lockwood Huie
jlh@sail7.com
Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote

Please Note:
There has been update (changes) on contact details of both staff and members of GNAD. For more information please click: ABOUT GNAD on the website home page. You will find more information on National Executive Committee (NEC) and the staff of the Association.