The National Institute for the Deaf launches various projects on a regular basis to sensitize the hearing community and make them aware of the deaf community’s challenges and how they can be addressed more effectively. The vision is to promote deaf-friendly and deaf-accessible communities where Deaf people can take their rightful place and develop and live out their full potential. However, it is a time-consuming process.

Hearing loss is a disability that often cannot be physically observed, which often results in the public not being able to identify or identify with it. As a result, hearing persons and service providers do not always have the necessary knowledge, experience, and information to make their services and communications deaf-accessible. This lack of information can have a negative impact on a Deaf person’s life. Deaf people from our local community share the following regarding their experiences:

• At some government departments, they call my name. I cannot hear it and do not always see my number on the screen. I almost missed my turn, but luckily my mom helped me.
• The nurse at the hospital helped me with breastfeeding. She knew I was Deaf but kept looking down as she explained. I could not hear her and did not understand at all. Even after my friend told her I was Deaf and she should look at me when she speaks, she just went on as before. I was discouraged.
• Restaurant menus are a challenge. We have to show what we want, and it is not always easy to communicate specific requests. If there could be a number for each item, it would be easier. We also cannot use the drive-through at restaurants and always have to get out and order inside. Some restaurants have now started with self-help touchscreen orders that are great for the Deaf.
• Intercom systems at the airport and doctor’s rooms cause us to sometimes miss flights and appointments. Visual announcements are very important and need to be implemented.
• Many service providers still call me even though I have already indicated with registration that I am deaf. They also do not understand that someone should call on my behalf if I have any queries and then they refuse to give the information. SMS, WhatsApp, and email systems need to be implemented with service providers to accommodate Deaf people.
• Someone should always call on my behalf to make an appointment with the doctor or I should use an interpreter during consultation. My privacy is compromised every time and it is not nice to be dependent on someone else in such cases. Professional interpreters are also very expensive and not always available.

The above is just a handful of the challenges that Deaf people experience on a daily basis. It does not take much effort to make a Deaf person’s life less challenging – maintain eye contact, speak slowly and clearly with a positive and helpful attitude. Deaf people do not expect sympathy, nor do they expect the world to bend over backwards for their needs. They just need a little respect, patience, benevolence and just humanity… to be understood… and to be a part.

How can you make a difference? Although sign language learning is probably the most effective way to bridge the communication gap between hearing and deaf people, it is a time-consuming process. Here are some alternative tips that can be implemented immediately to facilitate your interaction and communication with the Deaf:

• Assume that the initial communication will feel uncomfortable and strange.
• Eye contact is important – it shows you pay attention and care.
• Communicate in a suitable place with little disturbance – your face should be well lit, and the Deaf person should not be looking into bright incoming light.
• Keep your tone of voice normal – do not speak louder.
• If you use an interpreter, still look at the Deaf person when you speak.
• Deaf people listen with their eyes and will appreciate your effort even more if you use a combination of facial expressions, hand movements, body language and written communication.
• If he/she does not understand what you are saying, do not be afraid to use a different approach e.g. to write a message.

Remember, just trying is the first step to making a difference. Your effort will be much appreciated.