Effects of Sign Language Based Value Clarification on Self-Advocacy of Students with Hearing Impairment in Imo State School for the Deaf
Author: Onyedire Joseph Ogadinma
Affiliation: Department of Special Needs Education, Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
Article Type: Original Research Article
Publication: West African Journal of Industrial and Academic Research, Vol. 27, No. 4 (2026), pp. 30-34
Research Design: Quasi-Experimental Study
Evidence Type: Primary Empirical Research
Keywords: Sign Language, Value Clarification, Self-Advocacy, Hearing Impairment, Deaf Education, Special Needs Education, Communication Competence, Help-Seeking Behaviour, Ethical Autonomy, Inclusive Education
Abstract: This study examined the effects of sign language-based value clarification on self-advocacy of students with hearing impairment in Imo State School for the Deaf. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, non-equivalent control group design was adopted. The population comprised 86 students (SS1=25, SS2=29, SS3=32). Purposive sampling technique was used to select 52 senior secondary students with profound hearing loss who exhibited low self-advocacy skills. Participants were randomly assigned to experimental (n=26) and control (n=26) groups. The instrument was Self-Advocacy Scale for Hearing Impaired (SASHI) with reliability coefficient of 0.82 using Cronbach alpha. The experimental group received eight weeks of sign language-based value clarification training, while the control group received conventional counseling. Data were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at 0.05 level of significance, controlling for pretest scores. Results revealed a significant main effect of treatment on self-advocacy, knowledge of rights, communication competence, and help-seeking behavior in favor of the experimental group. It was recommended that value clarification strategies be delivered in indigenous sign language to enhance ethical autonomy among hearing-impaired learners.
Suggested Citation:
Onyedire, J. O. (2026). Effects of Sign Language-Based Value Clarification on Self-Advocacy of Students with Hearing Impairment in Imo State School for the Deaf. West African Journal of Industrial and Academic Research, 27(4), 30-34.