Acquisition of English Literacy by Signing Deaf

Research on how signing deaf children learn to read and write provides no clear answer to how successful deaf readers acquire literacy in a spoken and written language. Providing early support and deaf-centered environments may prevent delays in the development of language and literacy. The study of strategies used by deaf adults that explicitly link signs to print is critical. Also important are the consideration of the role that Manually Coded English and phonological awareness may play in the development of English literacy. The research indicates that there are multiple paths, rather than a single one, to reading for deaf learners