Deaf in Sweden

Deaf immigrants – an exposed group

Deaf immigrants who come to Sweden is a very exposed group. Many of them have no language at all, but have to start from scratch by learning Swedish sign language so as to be able to later learn how to read and write in Swedish.

There is a great risk of deaf immigrants becoming an extremely isolated group, unless the municipal authorities for immigrants are aware of the activities of the local deaf club. For many deaf immigrants the deaf club can become the only close contact they have with other people in Sweden, since they are the only people they can communicate with.