Malaysian deaf community gives thumbs down to fake sign language interpreter

PETALING JAYA: The deaf community in Malaysia have slammed the fake sign language interpreter at the memorial service for former South African President Nelson Mandela, calling his actions disappointing and disrespectful.

How to promote accessibility?

Is it worth to identify who is actually ableist and/or classist?

How come these words exist if your answer is "no"?

I could say either yes or no as I have my own opinion and you have different opinion. That is important for a good debate.

In our life, we know what we are doing, however, we often forget that what we can do is our privilege that some other people who are not able to do, therefore, they were being marginalized. They remain silent until it is hard to recognize their needs.

They are human like us, too. They have curiosity too. They are thirsty to gain more information. However, they sometimes could not overcome the barriers they encounter. They definitely need someone to help them to break the barriers. You see, you did not notice it because you are able to access what you want. You see, too if you could not access what you want to have.

Shall we perform bimization for academic level?

The status of Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (Malaysian Sign Language) BIM is not actually recognized fully in Malaysia.

A simple explanation I could say is that BIM is not recognized in the Constitution of Malaysia, like New Zealand Sign Language and Kenyan Sign Language are both recognized in the Constitution of their countries, which marking them as one of the country's official languages. 

Program Roadshow Ahli Majlis Kebangsaan Bagi OKU Bersama Komuniti Tempatan

There were 15 RoadShow were held over all states and federal territories on July 29 and 30, 2013, which was co-organized by MKBOKU and JKM.

The purpose of the roadshow was to collect concerns from People with Disabilities (PwD) to understand how they could form  actions to rectify the problems of the Communities in Malaysia. 

I attended two Roadshows in KL and Shah Alam. To my disappointment, I saw many PwD relies on the financial support from JKM heavily and therefore, I heard about money issues for almost 3 hours in KL, of course, some of them sought better improvement in the community and it was better when I heard different issues in Shah Alam, where they screamed for better improvement.

听障者心声 你听见了吗 ? (Nanyang Siang Pau) July 15, 2013 [English translation is available]

天生失聪的张伟义（中）从不放弃学习。目前他正报读马来亚大学的博士学位。

听障者拥有发言权。在2008年，马来西亚颁布了“残疾人士法令”，马来西亚手语（BIM）受承认为国家的规范手语，意味着手语已被确认为一种语言，听障者也有发言的权利。

天生失聪的张伟义，不久前发给本报一封英文电邮，字里行间一一陈述听障者生活上所面临的情况，并希望自己能够成为这个弱势群体的发言人，透过与媒体合作的管道，让人们听见听障者的心声。

他写道：“I would like to take stand for them...”，为听障者争取及维持公平与合理的社会待遇，促进听障者与健听人士之间互相尊重及了解，双方一同建设伤健共融的和谐社会。再者，“Time is not waiting for us.”

Communication gap amongst Deaf people within the Community

Only today I realized that there is a huge gap in the communication amongst Deaf people using sign language.

I realized that I have some difficulties in determining whether the persons I signed were able to grasp what I said to them. They may say they understand what I said. I would take it that they understood the signs I made to them, but my question is whether do they really understand the meaning I tried to convey. 

Malaysian Sign News made available in Facebook

Recently I was informed about this Malaysian Sign News, which can be shortened as MSN which you may go to this website (http://www.facebook.com/mysignews), however, you would have to register for a new account at Facebook. It is a little hassle for those who don't have Facebook account, especially for those who don't have access Internet at home or workplace. It does not have the same privilege with the daily news media, which can be printed on the papers and made available online, such as The Star, Berita Harian and Nanyang Siang Pau and Makkal Ossai, which are in different spoken/written languages.

It is unfortunate to say that our valued Malaysian Sign Language, which I would abbreviate as BIM as it is agreed in the Community, could not be lettered on the papers. However, it makes BIM as a unique language, and BIM has its own linguistics and equal status and have with other spoken languages around the world. You would not be able to use BIM and Malay or English simultaneously in effective way because BIM would become meaningful if it is "assisted" by Malay or English.

Bright side: Social Entrepreneurship

I just learned about the concept of social entrepreneurship. I think it is a fantastic idea to promote our language, culture and leadership within the community at the same time, we also bring our fellow deaf people some improvement in their life. Why not ? I am still thinking hard on it - please let me know if you know how and let's discuss further!

Hear our hand, instead of voice!

Show your pride towards sign language

In Malaysia, Malaysian Sign Language, which is shortened as BIM is recognized as language of the Deaf people. It is a linguistics, not a coded language. In our everyday life, we often feel bad for the hearing people who serve us have to "go through the deaf way". We can forget this feeling. There is nothing wrong with the use of sign language. We are born in this way, we are born to inspire people who forget about people with disabilities. We are born to change their attitude towards us, as people with disabilities, if you don't recognize yourself as people with disabilities, it is okay to use "deaf people".