Culture as Context for Intervention: Developing a Culturally Congruent Early Intervention Programme

Abstract

Black South African children with hearing loss are affected by the issues facing the deaf population as well as those facing the Black population educationally, socially and vocationally. The cultural context in which the child exists will not only influence the acquisition of communication skills but also the context in which intervention occurs. It is imperative that early interventionists have insight into, and understanding of the ethnographic - and family characteristics that may influence responses to early intervention. A theoretical framework for the design and implementation of culturally congruent early intervention programs for young Black South African children with hearing loss is developed. The aim of this paper is to describe culture as a context for early intervention and to provide a cultural perspective of early intervention for young Black children with hearing loss. Based on these theoretical underpinnings, models are suggested and guidelines are formulated for early communication intervention for young Black South African children with