KZN Blind and Deaf Society will launch is initiative, Talk Sign Day on Thursday, 11 March, which aims to draw attention to the plight of South Africans who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Everyone is encouraged to buy a Talk Sign sticker for R10 and wear it on the day as well as learn the South African Sign Language (SASL) signs for this campaign which include – let’s meet, let’s connect, let’s do coffee, let’s have fun, friends for life and see you soon.
These signs are illustrated and appear on the Talk Sign website page, www.talksign.co.za. Once you have mastered the signs, take a photo of you and/or your friends connecting using Sign Language and load it onto the Instagram account, along with #talksignday.
Shamila Surjoo, director of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society said this year’s campaign is aimed at the youth as they want them to realise that all young people, hearing and non-hearing, are the same.
“All teenagers enjoy sport, having fun, socialising and connecting – the deaf community just speaks a different language. We encourage all hearing South Africans to learn the phrases and reach out to those who are deaf by communicating with them in their own language. Signs, photos, graphics and activities are already a big part of the way the youth communicate and connect so it is an easy transition for them to learn some sign language and reach out to others,” added Shamila.
To buy your sticker, please contact Ellisha on 031 309 4991 or email ellisha@talksign.co.za.
