Deafness in El Salvador

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Deafness in El Salvador: A Short, Easy-to-Understand Overview

Summary
Current information about Deaf Salvadorans is limited. Estimates suggest there are about 48,000 to 88,000 deaf people in El Salvador. The main language used is Salvadoran Sign Language, with around 15,000 signers. Some Deaf Salvadorans use forms of American Sign Language, Costa Rican Sign Language, or home signs in rural areas. Education, interpretation, and protections from the government are limited, making it harder for Deaf people to find work and feel secure in society.

Language and daily life
- Salvadoran Sign Language is the primary language for many Deaf people in El Salvador.
- Some Deaf people use other sign languages or home signs.
- Access to education, interpretation, and protections varies and is often insufficient, affecting jobs and stability.

Government support and protections
- The constitution calls for protections for people with disabilities, including a panel for disability issues and a government office focused on inclusion.
- A 2013 United Nations report found that El Salvador struggles to enforce accessibility and to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. It also noted limited opportunities in work, justice, and community services, especially for women with disabilities.
- Interpreting services for Salvadoran Sign Language are limited. As of 2018, only a small number of interpreters were recognized, and interpretation in courts exists but is not always available.
- The government has taken steps to improve accessibility standards, but it does not provide pensions or financial aid to people born Deaf, which creates financial strain for Deaf individuals and their families.

Education for Deaf Salvadorans
- Historically, access to quality education has been limited.
- There are five schools for Deaf children, educating about 458 students. Only one of these schools offers a full kindergarten-to-high-school program.
- Many Deaf students attend mainstream schools that often lack proper support for sign language. In some cases, signing is discouraged in favor of spoken language, and punishment can occur if students sign.
- Many Deaf students finish only the first grade of schooling.
- Higher education access has improved recently, with more teachers trained in Salvadoran Sign Language at universities and health schools.

Deafness and risk of violence
- Despite some government efforts, Deaf people face a higher risk of harm from gangs.
- Groups like Barrio 18 and MS-13 control parts of the country, and strict policing (mano dura) policies can lead to detention of people who may be Deaf, who then risk mistreatment due to communication barriers.
- Reporting mistreatment can be difficult; data show various outcomes for complaints filed about police conduct between 2013 and 2017.

Evangelism and Deafness
- Some missionary groups have taken an interest in the Deaf community, providing Deaf-accessible Bibles and church services.
- As of 2018, several churches employ interpreters for sign language in their services.

Key takeaways
- There are tens of thousands of Deaf people in El Salvador, with Salvadoran Sign Language as a central part of Deaf culture.
- Major challenges include limited access to education, few interpreters, and insufficient government support.
- Deaf Salvadorans face barriers in work, justice, and social participation, and they can be at higher risk of violence.
- Support from international groups and churches is helping, but broader, sustained government action is needed to improve accessibility, education, and economic opportunities for Deaf people.