JAD Schools
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE 2005-2009:
To increase the number of literate deaf and hard of hearing children and adults through the strengthening of policy, standards, resources, and capacity building of teachers, parents and deaf community for support of more effective educational programmes.
Overview:
The JAD educational facilities offer programmes ranging from pre-school education to continuing education. The St. Christopher's School is currently the only facility that is residential. The Lister Mair/Gilby High School offers a blend of academic studies and vocational training in preparation for national and international examinations. Students from all parishes in the island access this programme and assistance to rural students is extended through a student sponsorship programme.
Target Population:
The primary focus in student enrolment is on severe to profoundly deaf children and multiple disabled children, given the fact that rubella, a major cause of deafness over the years often affects more than one sense. Mild to moderately deaf children are facilitated in an integrated unit at the Excelsior Primary School. The criteria for enrolment in that programme include:
- The child's ability to cope in a hearing environment and
- Strong parental support to ensure success.
Programmes and Curriculum:
Instruction is delivered in academic and vocational subjects and the curriculum pursued is based on the Ministry of Education's guidelines/curriculum with additional components to address language and speech development, these being the areas most affected by deafness. A special feature of our programme is the current thrust for a multilingual approach to instruction. The approach embodies the use of both Jamaican Sign Language and English in communication with students allowing the student to utilize the communication mode most comfortable to him/her. Research efforts are further seeking to develop a clearer understanding of the structure and usage of Jamaican Sign Language by the Deaf population as a means of aiding their development of English as a second language.
JAD SCHOOLS LISTING
