De stem van de dove leerling

Abstract

Aim: In this study, the influence of educational visions on the acceptation of signs in deaf education has been examined during the period 1980 -1985 in the Netherlands. In this study there was a particular focus on societal factors and pedagogical theories. Methods: Articles from a leading magazine in deaf education have been examined using a qualitative method. Categories have been composed whereby keywords have been formulated. Results: The results show an influence of societal factors and educational theories. Conclusion: The results show that the circumstances in the studied period contributed to the acceptation of signs in deaf education in the Netherlands. The educational vision to act in the interests of the child made participation of deaf adults in deaf education necessary for finding alignment between the interests of children and pedagogues. This participation ensured that pleas were made for a full integration of the deaf into society. Acceptance of sign language was an essential part of this. By the end of 1985 sign language was still not fully accepted in the education of the deaf in the Netherlands. The above processes have however provided space in which acceptance could gradually take shape.