On March 18, 2025, a conference entitled “We are creating a community of deaf Roma together” was held at the Caffe Relevant in Prešov. The aim of the event was to open a discussion on the position of deaf Roma in society, identify the barriers they face, and propose concrete solutions to improve their educational and social conditions.
The conference brought together field social workers (TSP), representatives of the Office of the Plenipotentiary of the Government of the Slovak Republic for Roma Communities, and experts from the academic environment. Among the participants was also a Roma scholar from the University of Prešov, Alexander Mušinka.
The conference was held with the financial support of the Ministry of Justice of the Slovak Republic within the framework of the subsidy program for the promotion, support and protection of human rights and freedoms and for the prevention of all forms of discrimination, racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism and other manifestations of intolerance, which enabled the creation of a space for professional discussion and the search for effective solutions in the field of inclusion of deaf Roma.
Education of deaf Roma children – challenges and solutions
The first significant outcome of the conference was the speech of the deputy director of the Pavol Sabadoš Elementary School, Mgr. Patrícia Maňáková Gálóczyová, who pointed out serious shortcomings in the education of deaf Roma children. The problem is not only the language barrier, but also the lack of Slovak sign language interpreters and special educators who would be able to work effectively with this group of pupils.
Key challenges identified:
Insufficient access to education – Deaf Roma children often do not attend school because they lack support in both the family and the school environment.
Language barrier – many children do not master Slovak Sign Language because their families communicate using gestures or written text.
Missing materials and methodologies – schools do not have enough specialized textbooks and aids for the education of deaf Roma students.
Deaf Roma on the border of two cultures
The conference participants agreed that deaf Roma are marginalized twice – both as members of the Roma minority and as deaf people who do not have sufficient access to information, education and employment.
Many deaf Roma do not learn Slovak Sign Language, nor fluent Slovak or Romani language in written form. As a result, they have limited access to almost all areas of their social life, which further marginalizes them.
Social barriers are another key problem. The Roma community is often not familiar with the needs of deaf people, and therefore they may be misunderstood by their families or the wider community. On the other hand, they may feel alienated in the deaf community, as they do not have a command of sign language at a level that would allow them to communicate fluently.
Solutions could be:
- Introducing bilingual education (Romani language – Slovak sign language).
- Increased number of interpreters for deaf Roma in communities and schools.
- Supporting families so that parents learn sign language together with their children.
Deaf Roma live on the border of two cultures, but if society provides them with the right conditions, they can become a bridge between them and contribute to the enrichment of both communities.
Cooperation is the key to change
The conference in Prešov showed that the topic of deaf Roma requires systemic solutions and interdepartmental cooperation. Participants agreed on the need to create inclusive educational programs, support school and community initiatives, and work to remove language barriers.
Building a community of deaf Roma is not only about creating space for their integration, but especially about equalizing their position in society. Even though they live in a world of silence, their needs and voices must be heard.
