Call for deaf inclusivity

TO HELP bridge the communication gap between the deaf community and the broader public, the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) will release basic South African Sign Language (SASL) videos across various online platforms.

The news of the launch was warmly welcomed by a Kimberley mother, Tatum Amsterdam, whose 20-year-old son Xavier is living with a hearing impairment after he contracted meningitis.

“Sign language has been recognised as an official language, yet not many people have an interest in being taught how to sign. There are apps available that can teach community members the basics of signing,” said Tatum.

“Unfortunately, our society often judges or pities deaf individuals. Some people mistakenly believe that those who are deaf or have hearing impairments are uneducated or mentally ill. My son is perfectly healthy except for his hearing impairment. He is a normal child, but due to societal criteria and fears, many children with impairments or disabilities are denied numerous opportunities.”

She added that her son continuously faces challenges but he overcomes them with grace and perseverance.

“Xavier contracted meningococcal meningitis in 2005 and the doctors were not sure if he would survive it. He was admitted to the intensive care unit. I was shocked, as my child was born hearing and at that stage, he could walk and talk. After his diagnosis, he was unable to sit up straight without support. He had to learn basic motor skills all over again. That frustrated him and he did not want to be assisted to sit up. He also had to undergo speech therapy and learn how to walk again.

“We were fortunate as he was able to undergo a cochlear implant in 2006. He was one of the first in the Northern Cape to undergo that operation. It was a true miracle and a priceless feeling to see the expression on my child’s face after he could hear sounds again after the successful operation.’

Tatum said her son has over the years survived discrimination at the hands of some public members.

“We have been through speech and occupational therapy; he had to learn how to express some words in order to communicate. Currently, he makes use of a phone to communicate with people. Some people think that because he has a hearing impairment, he is mentally retarded. When he was younger, that used to frustrate him. I explained to him that people are fearful when they do not understand something.

“In the beginning, he was also very self-conscious about hearing aids as people would pity him. He later taught people that it was just a device to assist him in hearing. Others would stare when they saw us signing when we were communicating. My son, however, did not let the stares and whispers discourage him.

“I myself have drawn strength from him on days when I wanted to shout at people to stop staring at him.”

She said the journey has also placed a hefty financial burden on them.

“Raising a child with an impairment or disability is very costly. The world is not created to accommodate those with impairments. My son has to travel to Bloemfontein at least twice a year for medical check-ups. He currently needs more than R180,000 for a processor, a device that will help sound travel into his ear. His hearing aid requires batteries and those costs are not covered by the medical aid. We had to carry the financial costs through the years and many times relied on donations from sponsors.”

Tatum added that people need to be educated on how to treat people who are living with impairments.

“Most people do not know how to react to people with hearing impairments, some are shocked. Most do not understand. Others take advantage and judge those with disabilities and impairments because they do not understand.

“Children with disabilities are also denied the opportunity to live a ‘normal’ life. They are excluded from accessing basic services, as most places of employment or social spaces do not have a sign language interpreter.

“It is only once you get to live with someone with a disability that you recognise the daily challenges the disabled are faced with. Plus people must bear in mind that you are not always born with a disability, so be more open-minded and caring to those living with disabilities,” Tatum advised.

PanSALB CEO Lance Schultz announced the launch of Deaf Awareness Month, which is commemorated in conjunction with International Day of Sign Language.

“Deaf Awareness Month, which is celebrated in September, is commemorated in observation of the International Day of Sign Language that takes place on September 23, 2024, as declared by the United Nations (UN), which offers us an opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people,” said Schultz.

He called on all South Africans to support the month.

“There are several ways that ordinary South Africans can make life easier for the deaf community, such as learning basic SASL to bridge the communication gap. Over the next couple of weeks, PanSALB will be uploading videos teaching basic SASL on its online platforms and there are various other strategic partners who also have basic SASL freely available on online platforms.

“We also call on the public and private sectors to make certain concessions to be more inclusive in conducting their business such as incorporating SASL in all their operations,” said Schultz.

He added that PanSALB would be focusing on conducting SASL awareness workshops throughout the month for front-line workers and the families of deaf children to improve the deaf community’s access to government services and information.

“It is important to recognise that SASL is a visual language that is distinct from any other official language, as it is not written or spoken. Therefore, subtitles and texts in English or any other language do not constitute SASL. Announcements and information displayed on screens in service offices should be in SASL.

“Additionally, it is vital to make socio-economic opportunities accessible to the deaf community.

“PanSALB calls on all South Africans to work together to ensure that this Deaf Awareness Month is impactful and inclusive for all,” Schultz concluded.