Silent Walk commemorates International Week of the Deaf at Zoo Lake
PARKVIEW – Over 300 people attended the third annual Silent Walk at Zoo Lake.
Over 300 people participated in this year’s third annual Silent Walk to commemorate International Week of the Deaf at Zoo Lake on 28 September.
The City of Joburg joined a number of community members in support of their partners Neema Foundation and Safer South Africa Foundation.
MMC for health and social development Mpho Phalatse explained that the Person With Disability (PWD) is a sub-unit of the City’s department of social development which supported the initiative as part of its mandate to provide transformative opportunities and assist vulnerable residents to achieve a dignified standard of living.
Phalatse said that one of the key focus areas of the department of social development is to support people with disabilities by integrating them into society through programmes, education and awareness campaigns such as silent walk.
“The main objective is to foster and promote universal access as advocated by the White Paper on the Rights of PWDs, by encouraging the learning of sign language as well as deaf culture,” said Phalatse.
International Week of the Deaf is observed annually from 23-30 September and provides the opportunity for members of the deaf community to unite to promote their rights, the status of sign language and unify the hearing, hard of hearing and deaf people through global mobilisation.
The theme of this year’s event was sign language rights for all.
The day’s activities included a 1.6km walk, 5km walk and 10km walk, deaf tennis and a kiddies play court.
Phalatse explained that research estimates that 20 per cent of South African PWDs have hearing loss. In addition, unemployment and illiteracy levels are high among South Africa’s deaf community.
“To ensure access to opportunities and full inclusion, the City is working on a Gender, Youth and Persons With Disability (Geyodi) strategy to ensure coordinated service delivery to PWDs including the deaf.”
The PWD unit in the City provides training for family members of the deaf, carries out awareness campaigns at schools for the deaf and partners with NGOs and businesses to promote access and inclusion.
The PWDs unit established a self-help support group comprised of deaf people and their families, providing a platform for families to support each other, gain confidence and be able to stand for their rights. Families also acquired basic South African sign language skills to ensure that levels of communication are enhanced in their homes.
In order to enhance service delivery for the deaf, the staff of the PWD unit and the City’s legislature will participate in a two-year sign language training programme run by the Wits Language School, which is fully funded by the City.
Joburg residents living with any form of disability who are in need of assistance are encouraged to contact Jessi Mashinini of the City’s PWD unit on 011 407 7342.
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