Abstract:

This paper delves into challenges and opportunities of education for deaf and hard of hearing people (DHHP) in Kazakhstan. The number of people in deaf community in the country is ambiguous, and the number of affected children remains uncertain as well. Challenges include limited access to education on the vast territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a shortage of sign language interpreters and instructors, non-recognition of Kazakhstan Sign Language (KSL), and a lack of consensus on an appropriate balance between sign language and oral skills used in the educational process. Qualitative research is based on 11 interviews with representatives of the educational institutions for DHHP and Deaf Community, and compares the situation in Kazakhstan with that of deaf educational opportunities in Morocco. The author discusses possible ways of improving the current situation in the country, and maintaining the best practices already being used, including supporting existing special schools, advocating for the recognition and standardization of KSL, increasing professional opportunities available for deaf community, and determining effective balance between sign language and oral skills in DHHP education.