| dc.description.abstract | Social media for business is the new frontier for deaf Kenyans, due to the information gap
they often experience as they navigate a largely speaking and hearing world. This case
studyon the use of social media platforms for business by the deaf in Nairobi includes a
special emphasis on the convergence of their natural visual language, sign language with
video technology. The research is important to boost socio economic livelihoods of deaf
Kenyans for equality in development as well as integrate the Kenyan business industry with
the innovation and creativity introduced by the signing ‘genre’ of business communication.
The results of the study indicate that the dialectical gap between the deaf and hearing is
significantly reduced as sign language users can informally interact and exchange ideas,
information and updates on business. In addition, the general boost in vocabulary
originating from deaf people’ interest in on-line communication in Kenya is highlighted. It is
recommended that the recent immersion of the Kenyan deaf community in the use of
smartphones and dissemination of instant messaging needs to be enhanced, as it may yield
answers to societal inclusion, while also highlighting deaf cultural pride proponents of the
deaf business people’ creativity. | en_US |
