By Joseph Ochoa
“DAI mo nadangog? Ano ka? Taga-Libmanan?” One could only wonder how this remark of humor originate.
Under Proclamation No. 829 by then President Corazon C. Aquino in November 8, 1991, November 10 to 16 of every year is declared as “Deafness Awareness Week” (or simply “Deaf Awareness Week” or DAW) under the auspices of the Philippine Institute for the Deaf and the Philippine School for the Deaf and other concerned organizations; considering the deaf as a vital segment of our society, and their potential to be “transformed into a significant force in the efforts for national development;” and, the need to focus public awareness on deafness, its prevention and rehabilitation.”
Internationally, “Deaf Awareness Week, also called International Week of the Deaf (IWD), is celebrated annually during the last full week of September (Monday through Sunday) and ends with International Day of the Deaf on the last Sunday of September.” “The first International Day of the Deaf was first celebrated by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958. The day of awareness was later extended to a full week, becoming the International Week of the Deaf (IWD). The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) is an international, non-governmental organization of national associations of Deaf people and is recognized by the United Nations (UN) as their spokes-organization to promote the human rights of Deaf people. The WFD is composed of 130 national associations of the deaf and represents approximately 70 million Deaf people worldwide.
“The international date is so dated to commemorate the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf, which took place in September 1951.” Some countries choose to observe the week at a different time. “The purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to increase public awareness of deaf issues, people, and culture.” (https://www.signingsavvy.com)
Bringing it down to the local scene, once I heard a warning not to take a ride of a certain pedicab driver, because he is… deaf. I understand the valid concerns. I have personally encountered some difficulty in expressing to this same person, my destination. But in a few minutes, we would manage to understand each other. I would get to where I want to go; and he would earn his keep.
A remarkable individual with hearing impairment, who has triumphed over the challenges of the condition by being probably one of the few who has gained a baccalaureate degree (at least locally), currently serves at a government office. When curiosity caught me, I inquired from her colleagues of their manner of communication (being aware of their lack of proficiency in sign language). One of them tells me that they would type on the messages screen of a cellphone, and show it to her, and she would respond in the same manner – a testament to the aphorism: “Pag gusto, may paraan.”.
Several years ago, I attended an event in Legazpi City, in which the guest speaker was a local, who had then recently graduated with a degree in Fashion Design from the College of St. Benilde. Yes, she was the event’s resource speaker (through sign language, of course). Impressive. Even more remarkably, one successful local entrepreneur who has made a mark in the hotel industry, is himself with hearing impairment, and bears bragging rights of advanced education. (Ethics restrains me to drop names; since permission for such has not been requested. However, the statements made their point.)
Going down to serious challenges, persons with hearing impairment have a common difficulty in formal language. “Deaf people rarely have a mastery of English grammar because they only understand English as used in sign language which is shorthand in nature. The writing ability sometimes is still being developed while in college.” (https://deafphilippines.wordpress.com) (Come on, if you’re communicating through hand signs and body movements, you would naturally forgo linking verbs, prepositions, articles, and only focus on the function words.) This peculiar complexity to lead to serious difficulties of students with hearing impairment, in the language learning areas in the academe. This could also lead to bashing and bullying as it results written messages and comments which veer from conventional grammatical rules.
A pressing issue is the shortage of teachers and education personnel in mainstream academic institutions, with sufficient knowledge and training on sign language; thus enabling and qualifying them to interpret orally delivered lectures to students with hearing impairment. In a local high school, a sign language interpreter would go the rounds of the classes with students in need of such service. Naturally, this single person could not be in multiple classes at the same time. This frustration has led to dropouts; not to mention, the bullying that would occur before the dropping out. One could only surmise where these frustrated learners go.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”
Galatians 6:9