Dear Editor,
We the ‘Ambassadors for the Rights of Children with Disabilities’ are requesting that basic sign language be taught in schools countrywide.
During the past three weeks, we have been actively involved in a project implemented by the Guyana Community Based Rehabilitation (GCBRP) which was sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). This was a wonderful and educational experience for us. We had the opportunity to meet and interact with children who have hearing disabilities from the David Rose School for Handicapped Children. We also had the opportunity to learn their language – sign language. Through our interaction with these children we have found that they are just like us ‘hearing children.’

Prior to this project we had little or no contact with deaf persons and no understanding of their special needs. After our interaction with the deaf children we learnt how easy it is to discriminate against such children, who are quite like us in many ways. Sign Language in schools would be very interesting and beneficial to both parties as it will help in reducing the stigma against deaf persons.

Yours faithfully,
Stephen Fraser
The Guyana Education Trust College
Nkechi McPherson
St Joseph’s High School
Susanna Pile
The Guyana Education Trust College
Alicia Rogers
The Guyana Education Trust College
Soyini McPherson
The Bishops’ High School
Zoe Daniels
The Guyana Education Trust College
Ryan Blackman
Tucville Primary School
Seon Wood
The Guyana Education Trust College
Nicholas Bourne
The Guyana Education Trust College
Nyvin John
The Guyana Education Trust College
Mario Gorsira
David Rose School