Building inclusive communities is focus of Deaf Awareness Month
Deaf Awareness Month is observed globally during September
GLOBAL Deaf Awareness Month is celebrated this month, as is International Week of Deaf People, from 19-25 September.
In support of this year’s theme: ‘Building Inclusive Communities for All‘, DEAFinition, an NPC that provides a range of services and funding opportunities to promote equal access for South Africa’s deaf community, encourages both individuals and corporates to intentionally evaluate the way in which they communicate to ensure their messaging is inclusive to everyone.
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Deaf people the world over experience language deprivation and are being left out in many areas of society.
The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the dire predicament deaf people experience when trying to access life-saving health information and services.
“The next time you walk into a bank, police station or hospital, imagine what it might be like to be deaf, and imagine constantly being misunderstood or having to explain yourself over and over simply because the other person does not communicate in your language,” said Thembeka Gumede, DEAFinition director.
Over four million South Africans have varying levels of hearing loss, and it is believed that close to 1.5 million people communicate in South African Sign Language (SASL).
September is also Heritage Month – a month in which we celebrate and recognise South Africa’s cultural diversity.
This includes deaf culture and sign language.
“Being deaf transcends gender, race and status. The deaf people of South Africa have an incredibly rich culture which has the ability to bring together all cultures through a common signed language,” added Gumede.
Earlier this year, President Ramaphosa’s Cabinet approved the Constitutional Eighteenth Amendment Bill for public comment to amend Section 6 of the Constitution to provide for the recognition of SASL as South Africa’s twelfth official language.
“The amendment is a positive step towards realising the rights of people with hearing loss to equal enjoyment of rights and human dignity.
“The deaf community will finally have a voice and become an integral part of their own country and communities.
It will promote inclusion, substantive equality, and prevent unfair discrimination,” said Gumede.
Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) CEO Lance Schultz echoes Gumede’s sentiments.
“The announcement reaffirms the democratic right of deaf persons to participate in a meaningful and substantive way in public life, in their own language.”
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