Deaf in Austria


Population
Sign Languages
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

In many situations, Deaf people are viewed as disability groups, but a more accurate approach is to consider them as distinct people groups. They have their own unique languages and culture. They cannot be communicated with the same way as anyone else. That is true of every country, including Austria.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Austria has seven schools for the Deaf and numerous Deaf clubs. The national language of the country is German but many Deaf have trouble reading at more than a 3rd or 4th grade level due to a low vocabulary in German, which is a second language for them. Schooling is often dependent on good oral lip-reading skills and many Deaf struggle with understanding German and have a lack of vocational training, so can only find work in menial jobs. An additional difficulty is that Austrian Sign Language is not officially recognized nor is it recognized as a main means of communication.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The country has a strong Roman Catholic influence, but many Deaf seem to be somewhat apathetic about religious things. This means that many Deaf and hearing in Austria are repulsed by institutionalized religion. The greatest need is for Deaf to understand God's word and become believers who are grounded in their faith.


What Are Their Needs?

There are only a handful of full-time workers in the entire country working with the Deaf. The New Testament is in the process of being translated by a woman from Great Britain who has worked with the Deaf for many years but has a full-time job working with the Deaf in an evangelical church. The process is very slow as there are only a few born again Deaf Christians in the whole country and these Deaf have families and jobs and it is very hard to find time to work on the Bible Translation.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Deaf evangelicals in Austria will lead the others of their community to Jesus Christ.
Pray for Holy Spirit anointed workers to disciple the Deaf in Austria and teach them to disciple others.


Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Austria.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_Federation_of_the_Deaf


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 18,000
Population all Countries 50,266,000
Total Countries 216
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 3
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
PeopleID3 19007
ROP3 Code 114916
Country Austria
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Austria
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.20 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
82.57 %
Ethnic Religions
0.13 %
Hinduism
0.04 %
Islam
5.50 %
Non-Religious
11.48 %
Other / Small
0.08 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Austrian Sign Language (18,000 speakers)
Language Code asq   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Austrian Sign Language (18,000 speakers)
Language Code asq   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Austrian Sign Language

Primary Language:  Austrian Sign Language

Bible Translation Status:  Translation Needed

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source Anonymous 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.