Parents and grandparents of deaf children in Ecuador: concerns and expectations

Abstract

Despite a growing number of anthropological studies of deaf communities, little attention has been paid to how socioeconomic and cultural factors influence the experiences and the concerns of hearing parents of deaf and hearing-impaired (DHI) children. This study draws on interviews with parents (and some grandparents) of DHI children in Ecuador, a country marked by profound inequality but also by considerable recent progress in poverty reduction and enhanced provisions for people with disabilities. Despite progress, many carers are nevertheless critical of the way in which new measures have been implemented, and of the schooling available to their child. They are also worried by their child’s vulnerability, the likelihood of discrimination, and the possibility of abuse.

Keywords:

• Deafness
• hearing impairment
• concerns
• expectations
• parents
• grandparents

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the parents and grandparents from ‘Centro de Estimulación Integral y Apoyo Psicopedagógico’ (CEIAP) affiliated to Universidad del Azuay and ‘Unidad Educativa Claudio Neira Garzón’ – formerly ‘Instituto Especial de Invidentes y Sordos del Azuay’ (IEISA) – for sharing their experiences. Also acknowledged is the skillful assistance of S. Sempértegui and R. Clavijo in the execution of this study. The authors are grateful to ‘Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación’ (Secretary of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation) of Ecuador for a Prometeo award to S. Blume and to ‘Dirección de Investigación de la Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador’ (Research Office of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador) for financial support.