Deaf in Belize


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 a distinct people groups. They have their own unique languages and culture. Unlike most people groups, Deaf people can be found in every country in the world and often blend in with the broader community around them. That is true of Belize.


What Are Their Lives Like?

There are many common experiences shared by Deaf people around the world that contribute to Deaf culture. Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their family and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school. There are many common experiences shared by Deaf people around the world that contribute to Deaf culture. Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their family and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school. Decisions are made for the Deaf without Deaf input; education may be provided only in the spoken language without interpreting. All of these common experiences serve to unite Deaf people across cultural and political lines.

While many Deaf people in Belize have some degree of bilingualism, for most of them, it is impossible to fully learn a spoken language that they cannot hear. That illustrates why sign language is so important.


What Are Their Beliefs?

Like the majority of the people in Belize, the Deaf are Christian. However, given their limits of communicating the gospel, they probably don t entirely understand it. For example, they might attend church services and only understand rituals.


What Are Their Needs?

In the 2020s, there were a couple of important organizations to help the Deaf that were closed in Belize. The Deaf need adequate health care and schools.


Prayer Points

Pray for the Deaf in Belize to have full access to the Bible in sign language.
Pray for Belize to have the resources they need to ensure Deaf children get their communication and educational needs met.
Pray for some from Belize s Deaf community to be thrust out as missionaries to others.
Pray for many to be discipled to make more disciples.


Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Belize.


References

https://www.riadis.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-Deaf-People-of-Belize.pdf
https://www.facebook.com/belizedeaf/


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Deaf
People Name in Country Deaf
Pronunciation def
Alternate Names
Population this Country 2,100
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

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Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.36 %
Christianity  (Evangelical Unknown)
83.94 %
Ethnic Religions
2.00 %
Hinduism
2.30 %
Islam
0.65 %
Non-Religious
7.80 %
Other / Small
2.95 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Language unknown (2,100 speakers)
Language Code xxx   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Language unknown (2,100 speakers)
Language Code xxx   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Language unknown

Primary Language:  Language unknown

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

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