Deafness in Poland

The Polish Association of the Deaf was founded in 1946.[4] Its main goal is to bring the deaf and hard of hearing community together and give them the support they need.[4] The Polish Association of the Deaf (Łódź Division) is privately run but receives monetary support from the government.[4] The board consists of 9 members, and 7 of whom are deaf.[4] In May 2016, they began a project that aimed to provide professional activation for 160 deaf Polish people (graduates of school for the Deaf in Poland).[4] The members continue today to push for greater equality between the deaf and hearing communities in Poland.[4]

The Polish Deaf Sports Association was founded in 1924 and exists under the Danish Sports Association.[5] It provides access to sports at any level—from grassroots to internationally competitive, and even the Olympics—to those who are deaf and hard of hearing.[6]

SALTO-YOUTH is an organization that has many different projects, one involving helping the deaf community in Poland.[7] One main project was in partnership with Polish Association of the Deaf.[7] In 2019, a group of people went to local or rural areas with people in the DHH community that were struggling with work on their houses and or farms.[7] SALTO went to houses and schools in the communities and gave them basic supplies such as writing utensils, food, and water.[7] They also help clean up some areas around the schools.[7] SALTO-Youth advocates for civil and human rights.[7] The organization promotes the right to human education for the DHH community. They want to see every kid have an equal opportunity for education.[7] SALTO-YOUTH provides opportunities to capture attention from authorities to give the DHH people a voice. Overall, they create a safe space for the participants to try out human rights education methods and tools with their community.[8]

The articles below were chosen based on the World Federation of the Deaf's priority areas.

• Article 9: The government claims that people who are deaf in Poland receive the same services as a normal person would in all postal stations.[9] Post offices in Poland have a special station for people who are deaf. This station has locals who can communicate with a deaf person.[11]
• Article 21: They claim that people who are a part of the DHH community have the same rights to an attorney.[9] A courthouse in Kraków, Poland, has lawyers who can sign and communicate with a judge. There are special court sessions for those in the DHH community. Forms of communication are different when it comes to the people a part of the DHH community in Poland. Talking to people in public can be difficult, in article 21 of the CRPD they can have a person assist them in communication with others.[9] In A court of law, people have the right to an attorney under any circumstance.
• Article 24: Education is an important thing, especially for children who are deaf or mute. Every child in Poland is given the right to education, no matter what. By article 24, children in DHH's community can receive assistance in and out of the classroom.[9]

There have been reports of a high rate of sexual violence against both men and women in the DHH community in Poland. (as of 2018)[9]

In 2013, many opportunities like jobs and or important events were not accessible to the deaf people of Poland.[12]

The Deaf Learning Project has offered rights for the DHH community by providing education for adults who are a part of the DHH community.[13] This project has helped many DHH adults to have the opportunity to education.[13]

The 4 Step Program has offered basic human and civil rights to the DHH community by giving people the aid they need to apply for a job.[14] This program has helped many people in the DHH community get jobs and gain basic skills.[14]

In Poland, there are three schools specifically for DHH students who aim to develop PJM skills. Instytut Gtuchoniemych im. Jakuba Falkowskiego is a school located is Warszwa Poland.[22] Since 1936, this school has offered boarding (housing) to students so that those who do not live nearby can stay at the school during the week.[22] At the Institute, education is provided from pre-school to post-primary level.[22] They mainly focus on reading and writing skills in PJM, as well as basic communication.[22] Their mission is to serve as the educational and cultural center for the Deaf. Parents of deaf children can take courses at the institute to learn Sign Language.[23]

Zwiazek Zydowskich Gluchoniemych was located in Karków Poland and was founded in 1935.[24] A little over 400 deaf and hard of hearing Jews were members of the school in Poland during the interwar years.[24] At the Institute primary education was provided as well as extra circulars such as clubs and sports.[24] The school closed in 1939, due to the Second World War outbreak.[24]

Not all students are accepted to a university, so there is a program called the Deaf Learning Project, in partnership with The Polish Association of the Deaf (Łódź Division).[13] As a whole, they prepare national language programs for teaching deaf adults.[13] The literacy rates in deaf adults in Poland are low in reading and writing.[13] People who graduate from a secondary education can learn Polish though a 400-hour course.[13]

The 4 Step Program is a program that helps support deaf people on the labor market.[14] This project was started when the UCN of Rights of persons with Disabilities was approved in 2006.[14] This program helps increase knowledge and the labor market for people with disabilities, including DHH. In Poland, the 4 Step Program specifically helps deaf people on the labor market II, they help people prepare to look for jobs.[14] When a person with disabilities is turned away from higher education, the 4 Step program takes their spot.[14] They help education people with basic skills and communication.[14] They also help them prepare a resume to find jobs, as well as help them find and enroll in a job.[14] Certain activities that they do improve professional skills, gaining experience on the labor.[14] The project activities include workshops, individual action plans, rehabilitation internships, legal and psychological support, training, and other activities that contribute to accomplishing these goals.[14]

Polish Sign Language (PJM) is listed on the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale.

• PJM is legally recognized by the Polish government.[2]
• PJM is at risk, due to the lack of education and exposure early on, as shown in the Language Depravation section.[17]

The influence of Old French Language and German Sign language has kept Polish Sign Language (PJM) Many deaf schools interpreters use Old French Language and German Sign language, to help teach Polish Sign Language.[34] The disappearance of PMJ, cochlear implants and deaf people raises concern for the DHH community.[34] Poland has made many technological advances, it has been providing hearing aids to large companies.[35]