Making Digital Safety Inclusive: Deaf Education Teachers Join JA Ghana’s Be Internet Awesome Training

The internet has become an important part of how young people learn, communicate and explore the world. But as children spend more time online, the ability to understand digital risks and make safe choices is becoming just as important as knowing how to use technology.

For students at Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf, these lessons are equally important. Recognizing this, six teachers from the school participated in Junior Achievement Ghana’s (JA Ghana) Be Internet Awesome (BIA) training in the Tema West Municipality, ensuring that digital safety education can also reach Deaf learners.

The six-member team included four hearing teachers and two Deaf teachers, who joined other educators and education officials for the training ahead of the reopening of schools. Their participation means that the knowledge gained from the session can be taken back to Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf and incorporated into lessons for students.

The broader training engaged 149 teachers and 22 Ghana Education Service (GES) officers, strengthening the capacity of educators to support young people in navigating an increasingly connected world.

Children's experiences online can be shaped by how well they understand privacy, responsible online behavior, misinformation, cyberbullying and other digital risks.

Be Internet Awesome provides educators with tools and approaches to help students develop the awareness and confidence to use the internet safely and responsibly.

For the teachers from Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf, participating in the training creates an opportunity to ensure that these conversations are not excluded from the learning experiences of Deaf students.

Their presence also highlights the importance of considering accessibility when promoting digital skills and online safety. As more learning moves into digital spaces, every learner needs the knowledge to participate safely and confidently.