From 1820-1867 deaf Icelanders were sent to Copenhagen for schooling. After 1/3 of the students died, it was decided to do local training. The first school for the deaf was founded in 1867 by Rev. Páll Pálsson. He had been educated in Denmark. He was instrumental in moving parliament to mandate formal education for all deaf children in 1872. Icelandic Sign Language, ISL or ÍTM (Icelandic: Íslenskt táknmál) is based upon Danish Sign Language. In the early 20th century the school moved to Reykjavik and became a boarding school. Until1981 the school did not teach sign language but attempted oralism. This method teaches the deaf to lip read and speak. Finally in 1981 the policy of oralism was abandoned.
Meanwhile the Icelandic Association for the Deaf was formed in 1960. This group supplies services and social activities and advocates for the deaf. In 2011 parliament approved ISLas one of the recognized official languages. In 2024 Deaf students were enrolled in Hlíðarskóli, which is a school for those with behavioral, emotional or communication problems. Because of the large number of deaf refugees, there were students from 7 different deaf languages.
The hard of hearing can get hearing aids. Some deaf can get cochlear implants. These two groups can enter the hearing world. But for those that cannot, life is hard. Education is difficult. Job training is limited, and finding employment is even more difficult. The deaf face discrimination even ostracism. Legal rights are not always enforced. Social events are limited.
Although the first school taught Christian values, that was long ago. Besides the state church, there are other churches and other religions. Many Icelanders are no religion. The state church called the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland has a minister dedicated to working with the deaf.
Vocational training and integration into wider culture are needed. Social services and access to legal protection are also needed.
Pray for the Holy spirit to touch the lives of deaf people, who can then witness to others. Pray for missionaries who are called to minister to the deaf. Pray for deaf refugees to be able to adjust and settle in the country.
Scripture Prayers for the Deaf in Iceland.
https://www.icelandreview.com/news/society/iceland-receives-unexpectedly-high-proportion-of-deaf-refugees/https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/29407/1/Icelandic%20Deaf%20Culture%20-%20Haukur%20Darri%20Hauksson.pdf
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
