Deaf in Virgin Islands (U.S.)

Introduction / History

Unlike ethnic groups, Deaf people can be found in every country in the world and often blend in with the broader community around them. Deaf people are usually viewed as a disabled group, but a more accurate approach is to consider them as a distinct people group. They have their own unique languages and culture.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Deaf in the Virgin Islands face special challenges at home, in the classroom, and in the workplace. They require a special way to communicate that can leave them isolated. Commonly, they have low-paying jobs because of their inability to communicate.

Since most Deaf people are born to hearing parents, and very few of those parents learn to sign, many Deaf people are isolated from their families and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf people in the community or from a Deaf school.

While many Deaf people have some degree of bilingualism, for most of them, it is impossible to learn a spoken language that they cannot hear fully. It is becoming more common around the world for Deaf people to know more than one sign language. To communicate with others, they have to understand sign language. That limits their ability to communicate.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Every Deaf community takes on the characteristics of the country they are in. Like the general population, the deaf in the Virgin Islands are mostly Christian. No matter what religious faith, the Deaf are often limited in their understanding because of their special challenges.

Just putting an interpreter in a church is not the answer, especially when the Deaf do not have any Bible background or knowledge. Some have estimated that Deaf people attending a church with interpretive sign language alone understand only two percent of the message. However, their understanding increases to 100 percent when the entire worship service, including the sermon, is in sign language.

What Are Their Needs?

The deaf community in the Virgin Islands needs educational and employment opportunities. They need more access to interpreters in university and health care settings as well as equal employment opportunities that capitalize on their individual skills and training.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to prepare and send out Deaf workers to the Deaf in the Virgin Islands.
Ask God to provide worship services in sign language.
Pray for interpreters who love and relate to the Deaf.
Pray for the Deaf in the Virgin Islands to hunger for the Lord Jesus.

Text Source:   Joshua Project