Deaf in Paraguay

People Name:	Deaf
Country:	Paraguay
10/40 Window:	No
Population:	51,000
World Population:	49,660,750
Primary Language:	Paraguayan Sign Language
Primary Religion:	Christianity
Christian Adherents:	96.30 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Portions
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Deaf
Affinity Bloc:	Deaf
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

Deaf people are located throughout the country of Paraguay, with most concentrated in the capital city of Asunción and the second largest city, Ciudad del Este. Very few Deaf people live in the Chaco region of northern Paraguay.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are seven Deaf schools in Paraguay, only two of which offer secondary education. Deaf education has traditionally used oral communication where students learn speech and lip-reading instead of sign language but has recently begun to incorporate more sign language into classrooms. Some Deaf students are integrated into special education or regular hearing classrooms with or without interpreters.

Deaf Paraguayans typically gather at Deaf associations or religious meetings where their indigenous sign language, Lengua de Señas del Paraguay (LSPY), is used. There are seven Deaf associations located throughout Paraguay. Five signed religious services are available in the country, all in Asunción. Because Deaf Paraguayans indicate that they struggle accessing written Spanish materials, a translation team was formed in 2008 through Letra Paraguay to begin translating Scripture into LSPY.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Deaf in Paraguay are Roman Catholic Christians, but we don’t know how many are Evangelical. They have difficulty understanding the basics of Christianity because of their communication challenges.

What Are Their Needs?

Most Paraguayan Deaf people typically work in manual labor jobs and receive lower than minimum wage. They are struggling for equality with hearing society and identify with each other as a unique Deaf Paraguayan culture. They indicate that their greatest community development needs include better and increased availability of interpreters, official recognition of LSPY and use of LSPY materials in Paraguay, and better educational and employment opportunities.

Prayer Points

Pray for better employment opportunities for the Deaf in Paraguay.
Pray for the Lord to thrust out interpreters and others to help Deaf people to excel in Paraguay.
Pray for appropriate evangelistic and discipleship tools for the Deaf in Paraguay.