Deaf in Belarus

Introduction / History

Unlike most people groups, Deaf people can be found in every country in the world, including Belarus, and often blend in with the broader community around them. However, in many situations, Deaf people are viewed as disability groups, but a more accurate approach is to consider them as a distinct people groups. They have their own unique languages and culture this is true in every country including Belarus.

What Are Their Lives Like?

There are many common experiences shared by Deaf people around the world that contribute to Deaf culture. 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 family and the broader community. Instead of acquiring language from their parents, many acquire language from other Deaf in the community or from a Deaf school. Decisions are made for the Deaf without their input; they might not have appropriate education. All of these common experiences serve to unite Deaf people across cultural and political lines.

While many Deaf people have some degree of bilingualism, for most of them, it is impossible to fully learn a spoken language that they cannot hear. It is becoming more common around the world for Deaf people to learn more than one sign language.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Deaf in Belarus are considered Christian, but how much of the gospel do they understand? Commonly, they can attend a church service and not understand anything because it is communicated only for a hearing audience.

What Are Their Needs?

Because of a lack of access to the spoken language, many Deaf people have a difficult time participating in church services and activities; relatively little Bible translation work has been done in sign languages and interpreted church services provide only the most basic of access to the Deaf community. Just like spoken languages, sign languages are not universal and vary widely from country to country and often even within a county. For Deaf people to have full access to scripture, they need both Bible translation in their heart language and services in sign language.

Prayer Points

Pray for full access to biblical materials for the Deaf in Belarus.
The best people to reach a Deaf person is another Deaf person. Providing training for Deaf leaders and Deaf missionaries is crucial. Pray for these needs to be met in Belarus.

Text Source:   Joshua Project