COMMUNICATION is everything in this wired age, but the noisier our urban environment becomes with information every day, the more it muffles the “sound” of an important community among us — the Deaf.
Contrary to common perception, written words can’t bridge the hearing and the Deaf, many of whom are cut off from society since childhood.
This is compounded by an inefficient support system in our country.
A study showed that many Deaf persons start with zero to 10 vocabulary at the age of seven, compared with a hearing person who would have learned 700 to 1,000 words by that age.
The education system at mainstream schools or schools for the Deaf is still unable to explore their full potential. According to many, most of the teachers are not fluent in sign language, thus can only convey a fragment of their knowledge to Deaf students.
Talking hands: (From left) Lau, Iverson, Khew and Low, who are colleagues at RC Deaf Missions, enjoying a conversation.
Communication breakdown at schools
“My school years were an unhappy experience for me. I could not comprehend much as the teachers spoke more compared to using the sign language, even though I was in a class for the hearing impaired,” Khew Sze Seong, 30, said using sign language.
Her message was interpreted by Agnes Peter, the RC Deaf Missions Malaysia director, who has set out to improve the livelihood of the Deaf.
Established in 2006, the non-governmental organisation has explored various channels to empower the Deaf, by arranging for them skill enhancement programmes and making sure they are heard through active community awareness projects.
Agnes noted that the commonly used term “hearing impaired” might hurt the feelings of a Deaf person, and Deaf should be spelt with a capital “D” to refer to members of the community that share common language, norms and values.
“I struggled until Form 3 and started doing odd jobs while taking private tuition, enough is enough,” she said at the interview in Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya where most of the company’s outreach programmes are held.
With her were three colleagues, Carol Lau Hee Phin, 40, Iverson Peter Saysoo Rajah, 37, and Low Chai Yun, 22.
Iverson said his teacher decided on his career based on his Form 3 results. Ceramics, that was the choice, even though he loved photography.
“I’ve loved taking photographs since young, I thought it would be a good career path but there was no such option,” he said.
Lau’s schooling days were equally frustrating, no thanks to miscommunication.
The more questions she asked, the further the teachers shied away. “I felt like a failure,” she said.
She craved for knowledge and yearned to learn computer skills, but was given a hairdressing training instead. Thinking that it was the only option, she joined a hair salon with three classmates.
Since then, the salon has been receiving extensive publicity for their “noble” effort. A Datuk presented certificates to them. She was baffled and embarrassed, as all she learned at the salon was how to shampoo and was paid a meagre RM50 a month.
They said they were only two study options for the Deaf after Form 3 — the vocational schools in Penang and Shah Alam.
SPM and STPM were out of the question, let alone making it to university even though they have the intelligence to pursue tertiary education.
Couple Chai Yee Foong and Adeline Goh, both 29, shared about the hardship they faced in life and said it all began with the sub-standard education they received from young. “People often think we are stupid, but that’s only because we did not have the chance to learn,” said Goh, when interviewed at her home in Desa Petaling.
Low was lucky enough to go to university. Her parents encouraged her as she could communicate better with the hearing, thanks to a dedicated teacher.
Still despite her good results in STPM, she was rejected by some 10 universities before she found one that offered her a part-time degree course in Anthropology and Socio-logy. She is in her first year now.
Frustrating employment
The vicious cycle continues in the working world. The limited education restricts their opportunities. They are no strangers to potential employers rejecting them because of their disability.
When they do get employed, they have to be contend with meagre income despite possessing the same skill like their hearing colleagues.
Iverson’s worst experience was when he was paid RM450 compared with RM2,000 another colleague was getting for the same job.
Whatever he learnt in school has little use now. His current job requires him to carry heavy pipes, thus causing a backbone problem.
Khew took various odd jobs after leaving school at 16. She could not enjoy the jobs, as those were not her choices, but something she was forced to do.
“It is not our fault, it all boils down to the education system and teachers,” Lau said.
Chai and Goh were blessed with a baby last year but Chai’s 60-year-old mother is worried sick about the duo’s future as their combined income is RM2,000. She often has to fork out her savings to help out in household expenses.
Still, they consider themselves lucky as most of their Deaf friends are paid in the range of RM300 to RM700.
Little support and attention
While our society becomes more sensitive to the needs of disabled persons, the Deaf community is still subject to barriers everywhere despite their mobility.
Chai was disappointed that only physically disabled persons were entitled to discounts and tax exemptions for local car usage. “The Deaf are also cash strapped,” he said, adding that his Deaf friends did receive much help from the Government.
Chai’s sister Yee Sin, 26, who aspires to be a social worker to improve the situation, said Malaysia did not have adequate support system for the Deaf.
“Deaf persons in Hong Kong are taught lip-reading from young while the only lessons available here cost RM20 for 30 minutes. I’ve also learned that in Indonesia, disabled persons are paid higher than the able-bodied staff. We do not have any of that, not even interpreters at public places like hospitals and courts,” she said.
The Deaf also feel cut off from the world as most news channels do not come with sign language.
They unanimously agreed that funding, quality education in sign language, part-time lessons for adults and affordable private tuition were some of the aspects to look into for better future for the Deaf.
They are grateful for RC Deaf Missions not just for the jobs that value their capability, but also for showing them that they can do much more than they thought they could.
Low was proud of her involvement in the recent book project “Let’s Sign”, a guide launched recently to introduce the Deaf culture to all. Khew and Iverson said they learned a great deal, too, as marketing personnel.
Most importantly they can face the public with much dignity and get the respect they deserve.
