To raise awareness and promote inclusivity, a free 67-minute online session on deafness and South African Sign Language (SASL) will be held on 18 July from 11:00 to 12:07, in celebration of Mandela Day. This event, organised by the National Institute for the Deaf (NID), aims to highlight how the deaf community communicates through SASL, especially since it was declared South Africa’s 12th official language.
Those interested can sign up for the event via a Google form available on the organisation’s Facebook page. The session will explore various communication methods used by the deaf community and debunk common myths surrounding deafness.
Lynette Victor, a key figure in this initiative, emphasised the significance of the event, particularly in Worcester, known for its extensive care for both the deaf and the blind. “This initiative goes beyond the scope of Mandela Day,” Victor told the Standard Breederiver Gazette. “Basic communication skills lead to access. Without communication people are excluded.”
Victor highlighted that while awareness sessions are typically offered at a cost to different offices and businesses the primary focus is on making an impact rather than generating financial gain. “It’s more about impact than money,” she stated. Reflecting Nelson Mandela’s quote ‘It’s in our hands to create a better world for all who live in it’, the NID aims to foster a more inclusive society where communication barriers are minimised.
In addition to the July session, the organisation offers free training programmes and awareness sessions during Deafness Awareness Month in December. These aim to educate the public and promote better understanding and communication with the deaf community.
“This is so special to me,” Victor shared. “There is no need to be separated because of communication barriers. We need to shorten the bridge so that we all live in a better world.”
The NID will also host a physical care drive for the multi-disabled. Donations can include adult diapers, toiletries, non-perishable food items, second-hand items and knitwear. Drop-offs can be made at 30 De La Bat Road or, for more information, WhatsApp 063 464 8197.
Through such initiatives Victor hopes to create a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their ability to hear, can participate fully and equally. The upcoming session is a step towards achieving this goal, ensuring the deaf community in Worcester and beyond is not excluded due to communication barriers.
