"I learned ISL before English and it is an official language of the State. Surely it is only fair that I sit a Leaving Certificate examination in it? Other students get to sit an exam in their first language," said Mr Hamilton, who hopes to study politics at third-level. He stresses that providing ISL as an exam language is a matter of fairness, especially since it holds the same official status as Irish.
"It is about getting the points that deaf Leaving Certificate students deserve. A lot of colleges require a grade in Irish but many deaf students are unable to study it," said Ms Woods, who aims to work with deaf children in early intervention. She emphasizes the need for ISL in the curriculum to give equal opportunities to deaf students.
"While my deafness is not a barrier to what I want to achieve, I need the support of a fair system," she added. This expresses a crucial sentiment among deaf students seeking acknowledgment and equality within the educational framework, underscoring that the lack of ISL examinations distinctly disadvantages them.
[
Collection
]
[
|
...
]