Rola multimediów w komunikacji głuchych dzieci i nastolatków oraz w ich dostępie do informacji i czytelnictwa

Abstract

The article is dedicated to multimedia and the role they currently play not only in communication, but also in access to information and reading practice for people deaf from birth whose native language is sign language. After some introductory explanations concerning the media, those types that have particular relevance to young people called “e-natives” or “e-generation”, are presented. The vast majority of them is available thanks to the development of information technologies, especially the Internet. Special computer programs created for the people with hearing impairment are also quite significant. Some of them allow learning and improvement in sign language (e.g. computer-based sign language dictionary), improvement in phonic language (e.g. Logo-games) or converting speech to text (SkryBot). Others facilitate access to information in sign language, the use of Websites and participation in specific reading practice, which is especially important for children and adolescents. Multimedia serve numerous functions: teaching, educational, compensating, and integrative as well as those serving entertainment and liberating creativity. Therefore, they are worth paying good attention.