Fatmeh Shows How Clever She Is

Jordanian Institute Provides Deaf Education And Sign Language

view large Image Fatmeh standing in front of the blackboard with her teacher for sign language.
Fatmeh (left) learns to read Arabic and make the signs, one sign for a whole word. The seven-year-old is attending kindergarten at HLID. © CBM
When Fatmeh (7) started kindergarten, she had not yet learned to speak. She made herself understood with informal "home" signs. At the Holy Land Institute for the Deaf in Salt, Jordan, the Fatmeh found herself immersed in the world of Jordanian Sign Language, which she picked up quickly from older students and staff.

In addition, teachers help Fatmeh to practice the pronunciation of both Arabic and English letters. With the help of speech therapy and language instruction, the lively child has found even more ways to show her cleverness and to take care of others, something she enjoys very much.

HLID supported by CBM since 1987

Fatmeh and her younger sister are pupils at the HLID boarding school, 30 km from the capital Amman. Their parents live 60 km away and can hardly cover the costs of her schooling. Under the auspices of the Arab Evangelical Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the HLID has been supported by CBM since 1987. Since 1977, it has been run by Brother Andrew de Carpentier.
HLID (HEAR department) in Figures

In 2004, the Audiology clinic of the Institute served a total of 2,318 people: It provided audiology tests and assessments as well as operations, if necessary. 230 hearing aids and 788 ear moulds were supplied to patients. In addition to centre-based activities in Salt, audiology clinics in community centres for the disabled are regularly conducted in the North of Jordan. Salt’s 13 government schools and some private schools are visited to do hearing tests.

Screening Programme for Newborn Babies

As Fatmeh had not received any training in her early years, she needed much patience to learn sign language and pronounce words. Her example shows that it is necessary to diagnose hearing problems early. Therefore, CBM’s partner established a neonatal screening project in February 2003, led by CBM-co-worker Helen Jones. Within one year, 14,000 newborn babies have been examined for hearing impairment. Ninety infants were found to have serious hearing loss. Staff members from HLID visit hospitals in Salt, in the Jordan Valley, and go on outreach trips to the North of the country. If it is confirmed that a child is deaf, impressions are taken and hearing aids fitted. A follow-up visit is requested, and, in addition, audiology assistants keep in contact with the family and show them how they can support the child.

Read on: HLID's comprehensive services
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Country Information

Nearly 250,000 Jordanians have a disability ranging from hearing and sight impairments to mental and mobility issues. It is estimated that 1.5 % of the population are hearing impaired, or 84,000 people, and approximately 16,800 people are profoundly deaf.
Although the national educational system enrols nearly 100% of non-disabled children, and nine government schools for the deaf exist, many deaf children remain without access to education. The HLID seeks to address these needs through providing service and training and empowering people to become role models and fully integrated members of society.