Deaf community feel left out during COVID-19
“I know a lot of deaf people that were left suffering."
SEDIBENG.- The deaf community has voiced their anger that they felt left out during the different stages of the lockdown due to COVID-19.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, the Deaf Project Workshop South Africa Chairman, Vuyani Nel, said that the deaf community suffered throughout the lockdown without anyone giving them consideration.
Nel said the deaf community never received food parcels, blankets or clothes from the government adding that the government forgot about the deaf.
“I know a lot of deaf people that were left suffering.
“Why did the local, provincial and national governments forget about the deaf community? We never received any food parcels from the government. The deaf community is still far from coming to terms with the situation compared to the rest of other communities,” said Nel.
Nel said deaf people need representation at government level and public places such as hospitals so that they can be ‘heared’. He also challenges government to provide free sign language education. Nel recently attended a workshop in Port Elizabeth that addressed some of the deaf community members’ challenges.
