Three-month training course in deaf and hearing impaired children early education model was launched yesterday. 25 teachers and counselors from community-based centers attended the training. The training course is composed of three overlapped phases; Introductory to Audiology, Early Deaf Educational model, Psychological and social development of deaf children. The training course will fulfill the need of community-based centers in the Gaza Strip to build up the capacity of their professionals in early deaf education field.

The keynote speeches at today's training were delivered by Mr. Naim Kabaja – Manager of Atfaluna School for Deaf Children and Early Intervention Expert Lecturer, Mr. Ramadan Hussein – Head of Out-Reach Clinic at Atfaluna, and Abeer Alsaqqa – Head of Social Services and Counseling Referral Unit at Atfaluna.

Mr. Naim Kabaja, Atfaluna School Manager and early intervention lecturer, stated that "The idea behind the training is to make the specialized educators, social workers, and deaf children’s families work together in order to give the deaf child the needed care before school age. As a result, the child's social, physical, and conscious development will be significantly improved ". Mr. Ramadan Huseein – Head of Out-Reach Clinic, said that "Since there is no concrete model for early deaf education in the Gaza Strip, the course will be the first step toward developing a comprehensive infrastructure for such model". Ms. Abeer Alsaqqa, Head of Social Services and Counseling Referral Unit at Atfaluna, added that "There is an essential role for the social workers at developing the social communication skills, and building up self-esteem of deaf children".

Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children is a non-profit society was established in 1992 in the Gaza Strip. Atfaluna aims to improve the quality of life conditions for the deaf children and adults to reach their full potential by providing quality education, health care, social services, and work opportunities.

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