

Atfaluna Society Services and Programs in Gaza, Palestine:
The Atfaluna School for Deaf Children: Deaf academic education is offered to 270 children at pre-school, kindergarten, primary, and middle school levels. The primary teaching mode in the Atfaluna School is Palestinian Sign Language. The Atfaluna School curriculum includes subjects of particular importance to deaf children in addition to Arabic, English, Geography, Mathematics, Technology, Civics, and Science. The Atfaluna School is certified by the Ministry of Education.
Audiology Clinic: The ASDC Audiology Clinic is open to the general public and is staffed by two audiologists who conduct diagnostic evaluations and hearing aid fittings for infants, children, and adults. A social worker is attached to the Clinic to assist needy clients to access all their audiological needs. A hearing aid bank, hearing aid repair unit, and earmold-making workshop are all located on premises in order to provide a comprehensive service for clients.
Speech-Language Pathology Clinic: This is an outpatient clinic staff by two speech-language therapists. The clinic serves both children who are students at the ASDC School for Deaf Children as well as children and adults in the community who are in need of speech-language pathology for any number of reasons.
Community Screening and Awareness: Four times annually, audiologists conduct free hearing screening programs in four geographical locations in the Gaza Strip. Approximately 3,000 persons are screened annually in these programs which are well-advertised through local media. Persons failing screening tests are referred to the Audiology Clinic for diagnostic evaluation or are referred to medical service providers if indicated. The Community Screening and Awareness Program staff also provide free-of-charge screening at kindergartens, schools, and institutions upon request. Informal awareness and prevention lectures are conducted during screening days and printed literature is distributed.
(Read on …)