Breaking communication barriers
The purpose of the programme is to bridge the gap between a child with a hearing impairment and a communicator
A basic sign language training session was held at the town hall Friday, June 27 and sadly it was poorly attended.
Among all the invitations handed out before hand by the Zenzeleni Sign Language Project team only one family turned up.
“We must not be discouraged,” said Sign Language Trainer Jabulani Zondi.
Mr Zondi believes it’s his calling to help the hearing impaired, therefore he shall not walk away from the gathering due to poor attendance. Mr Zondi went on to explain that the Zenzeleni Center for People with Disabilities joined with Uthukela Special Needs Department conducted research and found that there are plenty of people whom face difficulties of communicating with the deaf.
The programme was mainly targeted at teachers and parents of the deaf, as they are challenged when it comes to communicating. The purpose of the programme is to bridge the gap between a child with a hearing impairment and a communicator.
Mr Zondi brought along with him handy techniques he firstly taught the attendants the alphabets in sign language, a few other basic hand shapes and finger exercises.
Sibusiso Hadebe was born with a hearing impairment, and he brought along his father Aaron Hadebe who was more than willing to learn how to sign in-order to be able to communicate with his son. With the help of the Zenzeleni Sign Language Project Aaron hopes he no longer has to write everything he wants to say to his. Sibusiso completed school in Durban at Kwahintaa School for the Deaf since there is no university that caters for needs such as Sibusiso’s, he now works at the Diaconic Center in the area of Kwazamokuhle.
Mr Zondi emphasised how important it is not to make the deaf feel excluded especially because people with hearing impairments can’t always express themselves as they wish.
As Mr Zondi signed to make Sibusiso aware of what was taking place, Sibusiso made sounds and signed that he was familiar with what Mr Zondi was signing.
The Zenzeleni Sign Language Project team will return on Tuesday, 8 July from 9am to 2pm at the town hall, all are welcome to attend.
