Deaf Reach Schools and Training Centre

IDRF in partnership with the Family Educational Services Foundation (FESF) seek to address the gap in deaf education utilizing technology based approaches and specialized educational programming. Pakistan has one of the highest rates of illiteracy in the world with the overall basic literacy rate for those aged 15 and above is 56 percent. With over 50% of Pakistan’s population residing in rural and remote areas, specialized education for children with disabilities is not available. FESF is increasing in admissions yearly with each Deaf Reach School reporting a zero drop out rate. Deaf Reach Schools have successfully achieved a 38% female enrollment rate and continuously encourage parents and the community to send in their female children to school. The overall goal of this project is to enhance the quality of education for deaf students in Pakistan by creating a strong academic learning environment, preparing students for the workforce with vocational skills training, teaching parents sign language to improve social relations and training teachers on how to educate deaf students.