This week, members of the deaf community will be observing Deaf Awareness Week under the theme “Together we can; together we will.”
The planned activities are intended to create awareness of the challenges faced by deaf persons, the strategies that can be used to improve their well-being, and their experiences with the hearing community. At the launch of the observances yesterday at the Herdmanston Lodge, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand said that several deaf awareness activities which she attended became a learning process. In this regard, she noted that the word dumb is no longer used when referring to persons with hearing and speech problems; instead the word deaf is used.

Even as awareness is on-going, there are still some people who are ignorant of the issue and are ashamed of family members who have disabilities; while there are others who keep themselves far away from persons with disabilities, particularly deaf persons.
Minister Manickchand emphasised that both hearing and hard-of-hearing persons should work together to overcome these challenges faced by both deaf and hard-of- hearing persons. This can be done through activities such as the awareness week, which should not be limited to a week in the year, but should be on-going.
She added that the Government stands ready to partner with the many groups towards ensuring that hearing and hard-of-hearing persons live a quality life. As it relates to deaf persons, this partnership ensures that they receive services that are offered by Government and non-governmental organisations.
Government has made no secret of its keenness to support all the vulnerable groups and many initiatives have been taken, relating to senior citizens, children, women and particularly disabled persons.
This year, the disabilities Bill was drafted and the Ministry is working towards registering all persons with disabilities, across the country. The ministry will be collaborating with the disabilities commission to step up its registration process, so that planning for these persons can be effective.

Minister Manickchand commended the organisations which focus on disabilities, and noted that there is need for more collaboration among them. This will result in more responses from persons outside of the organisations and improve the lives of those within.
Recognising a lack of resources which results in restricted networking, she urged that during the week of activities, participants resolve to find ways of collaborating with other groups towards advocating change.
She expressed her satisfaction that service providers, NGOs, Government and deaf persons are collaborating during the week’s activities to examine where they are, where they want to be, and how best they can get there.

It is expected that this introspection will result in concrete action to be taken in the next year.
Head of the community-based rehabilitation programme, Geraldine Mason-Hall, pointed out that thus far, the Guyana Police Force is realizing its role in improving the lives of deaf persons, particularly in addressing sensitive issues.
She noted that the Ministry of Education has been making strides towards ensuring that children with disabilities have access to education in special schools and in the mainstream school system. Teachers are also being exposed to training in basic sign language and awareness sessions.
The participating groups yesterday include the Deaf Support Group, Kitty Deaf Club, Guyana Deaf Mission, and the Guyana community-based rehabilitation programme. (GINA)