American Sign Language - American Sign Language History - American Sign Language Facts - Who should use American Sign Language? - American Sign Language Alphabet - American Sign Language - American Sign Language Products - American Sign Language Alphabet Videos   Adjustment to deafness - Introduction - Attitude - Communication - Projection - Establish Relationship - Integration Society - Advice To Parents - Information Available - Do's & Don'ts   Deaf culture - Deaf People - Background - Clinical/Pathological - Social and Cultural - Deaf Community - Socialization   Statistics - Disability Statistics - VOCTIDSA Stats - VOCTIDSA Research - CASE Report - Interesting Facts - Education - Discrimination   More Articles >

Statistics:
Other Interesting Facts

• Disability Statistics: South Africa
• VOCTIDSA Statistics
• Summary Of VOCTIDSA Research
• Extract From The CASE Report
• Other Interesting Facts
• Education
• Discrimination Against The Disabled
  

It is estimated that 1.6 million people in South Africa use Sign Language as a first language. Of these 600 000 are profoundly deaf and 1 million are extremely hard of hearing.

This figure is higher than those for speakers of four of the eleven official languages, namely Tsonga (1.35 million), Swazi (926 000), Ndebele (799 000) and Venda (763 000).

Is it not time to recognize sign language as the 12th official language?
Is it not one's human right to receive education or any public services in your home tongue?

If you feel that you can make a difference why don't you
by starting to learn sign language.