The Deaf: Communication As a Key Tool for Personal and Professional Development

253 The thing that’s probably the most important particularly for the Deaf, is to be able to communicate to use the English language beautifully, to sign English with clarity and courtesy. It is impossible to do without communication. Effective communication is the capacity to express ourselves with clarity and courtesy because it is good for our economic prospects. It is good for our relationships. It is good for our emotional wellness. But communication- the ability to speak and write (English expressions) to convey a message or information, is very important for the Deaf. However, many Deaf people aren’t so fine in this aspect particularly most pre-lingual deaf individuals. Pre-lingual Deaf people are individuals who had been deaf before they began to acquire oral language as a child. Pre-lingual Deaf individuals are children who are born with deafness and those who lose their sense of hearing at infancy. With an inability to hear and produce sounds loud and clear, the single-greatest good a deaf individual can do himself/herself, is to have the capacity to speak (sign) and write correct English expressions that are accurate and clear to everyone’s taste and understanding. The Deaf community must do more in improving its communication skills. It is our greatest tool. Deaf people, like other people with disabilities, aren’t only a minority—in whatever locale they inhabit—Deaf people all around the world face discrimination and marginalization. However, time and again, we have found that no piece of legislation or policies has been able to completely wipe out the discrimination and stigmatization that Deaf people continually encounter in society. The greatest problem that’s associated with deafness is language depreciation. Our greatest challenge comes from within us. Then, we have got to begin to take personal responsibilities for our own lives. Language depreciation is the lack of conventional language for a child. Consequently, Deaf people must learn to acquire sign language and other manual means of communication. Apart from our challenges with institutional obstacles, deaf learners have significant issues with academic underachievement. Many studies have identified language deprivation of deaf learners as the primary reason for deaf learners’ academic failures. Sure, Deaf people have very fine brains. While by some measure, our intelligence has nothing significant to do with our ability to express ourselves clearly, interestingly, English communication skills- how we use English, are what other people, including organizations, are increasingly looking at in job applicants. But language skills are also good for social relationships. But communication is more than an ability to say all these. Communication is more than writing, speaking, and listening. Communication is the heart and soul of the human experience. What is needed is none other than communication skills, which is an ability to speak correct English, to communicate with clarity and courtesy using the English Language. Communication skills- our capacity to express ourselves with clarity, has never been more essential. However, mastery of the English Language and communication skills is essential especially for the Deaf who have been continually discriminated against and marginalized as a consequence of or inability to produce coherent speech or writing. But given our pervasive problems in communication, there is a prevalent misconception about the Deaf, that says “Deaf people have lower intelligence compared to their hearing counterpart.” Without excellent communication skills, we would continue to have trouble in every area- school, work, relationships, and so forth. if we cannot express ourselves clearly and correctly, it is going to affect our prospects in every conceivable way. Research has discovered that poor communication skills- the ability to speak, write and sign with clarity and politeness on the part of the deaf, explain the larger part of challenges of the deaf- low job prospects, low political participation, poor inclusion, discrimination, and stigmatization, among others. To improve our resources and opportunities, the mastery of English and communication skills are highly indispensable. Here are 5 ways that communication skills are essential for the Deaf

1. You Understand the world better. When you understand the world better, you can have better socio-economic prospects.
2. Excellent communication earns you great admiration. communication is an ingredient of interpersonal skills. The most personable and people have been individuals who have good communication skills.
3. Excellent communication increases job prospects. The ability to communicate effectively is one essential skill that companies and hiring organizations are increasingly looking for in job applicants. If you can communicate your way through, you can get the plum job.
4. Excellent communication improves relationships and enhances emotional health. This is because you understand everyone better and everyone understands you better and there is minimal conflict and you are happier and are emotionally healthier.
5. Excellent communication is a leadership quality. We all would like to be leaders. We all enjoy being associated with a leader. No big deal. If we can communicate effectively, then we can influence others to accomplish specific goals. That is an essential idea of leadership.