Khalid Tawalbeh
Doha
Under the slogan ‘Sign Languages Unite Us’, Al Hidaya School for Special Needs for Boys in Al Masila celebrated the International Day of Sign Languages on Wednesday, as it does every year.
The aim of the International Day of Sign Languages is to shed light on this community and promote its linguistic identity as a complete language, equal to spoken languages, even though its structure differs.
Sign languages facilitate social communication among individuals, regardless of their cultures and languages, ultimately ensuring that the deaf have all their rights and can fully participate in their society, nation, and world.
The International Federation of the Deaf proposed the celebration of the International Day of Sign Language. This proposal was adopted in partnership with 97 member countries, and it was approved unanimously on December 19, 2017. The date of September 23 was chosen because it marks the establishment of the World Federation of the Deaf in 1951, and it was celebrated for the first time in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf.
During her speech at the event, Dr Batoul Khalifa, a specialist in special education from Qatar University, emphasised the critical importance of addressing the educational needs of the deaf community.
Dr Khalifa raised questions about the existence of qualified curricula to educate this group of people and discussed their needs. She also highlighted the deficiency in this field in our Arab region. She stated, “It is crucial that we recognise the unique challenges faced by the deaf individuals and work towards providing them with comprehensive, inclusive, and accessible educational curricula. Education is the cornerstone of empowerment, and it should be tailored to meet the specific requirements of the deaf population.”
Dr Khalifa further pointed out the existing deficiency in our Arab region when it comes to specialised curricula and resources for the deaf.
She continued, “We must acknowledge that there is a gap in our region in terms of supporting the deaf community adequately. It is our responsibility to bridge this gap, not only through the development of effective educational materials but also by training educators and professionals who can cater to the diverse needs of the deaf.”
She also highlighted the need for greater awareness and advocacy for the rights of the deaf, saying, “Raising awareness about the rights of the deaf and promoting their inclusion in all aspects of society is essential”.
Dr Batoul Khalifa underscored the significance of recognising and addressing the educational and societal challenges faced by the deaf community in the Arab region. She called for collaborative efforts to ensure that they have equal opportunities, access to education, and the chance to thrive and contribute to their communities.
Hassan Ajran Al Buainain, the school principal, stated: “Today we come together to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages under the theme ‘Sign Languages Unite Us.’ It is a day that holds special significance for our school, Al Hidaya School for Special Needs for Boys in Al Masila, as we continue to champion inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities for all our students, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.”
