‘Being deaf doesn’t mean you have to live in isolation’

September 24, 2023 38 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Kohima | September 24

Asserting that being deaf does not mean you have to live in isolation, cut off from the rest of the world, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Diethono Nakhro on Saturday voiced concern that we are ignoring this amazing sign language which even “people of all hearing abilities can communicate, not just people who are deaf and hard of hearing.”

She was addressing the International Day of Sign Languages organised by Tabitha Enabling Academy on September 23 at the Old NST Parking, Kohima town held under the theme, “A world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere.” “We need to ensure that sign language is taught in classrooms. But not just in classrooms, we need to embrace it in all aspects of society”, she said.

Emphasising that “from schools and workplaces to public spaces and media, sign languages should be readily available, accessible and integrated into our daily lives”, she stated that, “this means providing sign language interpreters, creating educational materials in sign language, and offering sign language courses to everyone who wants to learn”. She also urged that this must become the norm and reality in our society.

Sign language, she further explained, “is an incredible and often overlooked form of communication that bridges gaps, transcends boundaries, and empowers individuals in unique ways” but also stated concern that there is lot of work to do in the disability sector in general in the state wherein the need for sign language education and use of sign language is still very poorly understood.

As a matter of fact, she said, “there’s still so much misunderstanding, misconceptions and even shame about having a disability” while pointing out that, “disability is just a part of human diversity.” “All human beings are made differently, so why is it shameful to have a disability? Why are parents and families hiding or keeping their disabled family members a secret? Disability is nothing to be ashamed about”, she further posed.

On the International Day of Sign Languages, she said, “we celebrate the deaf and hard of hearing communities and acknowledge their resilience and determination. We also honour the educators, interpreters, and advocates who tirelessly work to ensure that sign language is accessible and recognised as a fundamental human right.”

Observing that our vision of a world where deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere goes beyond the practical aspects, she asserted that, “it’s about fostering a society that values diversity, respects differences, and promotes inclusion.” “When we embrace sign languages, we open doors for millions of individuals to participate fully in society, pursue their dreams, and contribute their unique perspectives”, she added.

Putting across that sign language is not just a form of communication; she articulated that, “it is a cornerstone of identity and culture for many.” “Let us take this opportunity to learn more about sign language, to appreciate its beauty, and to promote its use in our society. By doing so, we contribute to a more inclusive and understanding world”, she urged.

‘Sign Language breaks the barriers’
Speaking on the importance of sign language, Chumbeni Ovung highlighted that sign language is a language that deaf people can connect to the rest of the world while putting across that there are around 300 sign languages in the world.

She said that sign language is a non-verbal language which helps the deaf community to communicate through hand gestures, body movements, facial expressions, etc. Stating that the deaf community is very large, she said sign language is a useful tool to communicate with the deaf people and emphasized that it is important to know sign languages because it breaks the barriers and build the bridges the gap between the deaf and the hearing community.

Even for a hearing person, she asserted that, “knowing sign language gives you access to a whole new culture, makes you become more sensitive to the environment around and helps to create an inclusive society.” “Those of us who use sign language also love to see our language used before our eyes”, she added.