In this volume, now available from Gallaudet University Press, renowned scholars and policy makers from around the world present innovative and groundbreaking perspectives on the relationships among sign language, sustainable development, and equal opportunities. 

The authors explore how the phenomenon of increased interaction between sign language communities and mainstream societies is creating the potential for greater equality of opportunity for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. They offer creative and open-minded explorations of the construct of sustainability that is informed by their work with deaf individuals, deaf communities, families of deaf chil­dren, societies, and other partners. Sign language, sustainable development, and equal opportunities describes sustainability in relation to:

identity, resilience, and wellbeing
partic­ipatory citizenship
historical perspectives on sign language use in educational contexts
sign language learning and teaching
human rights and inclusive education
literate thought and literacy
the sign language factor and the development of sign language communities in sub-Saharan Africa
sign language legislation

These changing communities’ understanding of what is required to become sustainable—in areas such as full participation and citizenship in society, economic well-being, access to quality education, and cultural and linguistic identity—is also taking new forms. This work contributes to the paradigm shifts regarding deaf emancipation and deaf education taking place around the world.

De Clerck, G. & Paul, P.V. (Eds.). (2016). Sign language, sustainable development, and equal opportunities. Washington, DC: Gallaudet University Press.

http://gupress.gallaudet.edu/bookpage/SLSDEO.html