Sign up ahead of Talk Sign Day
It is a human right of every person who is Deaf to be able to communicate
THE annual Talk Sign campaign comes to a head this week, with just enough time remaining for the public to get on board in support by buying a Talk Sign sticker for only R10 and wear it on Talk Sign Day this Friday, 10 March.
”We are also encouraging people to do an activity on Talk Sign Day to show support for people who are Deaf,” said Shamila Surjoo, director of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society.
”As far as the Talk Sign Day activities are concerned, schools and business can be as creative as they like. For example, each learner can present something in sign language to the class and the corporates can distribute the ‘do’s and don’ts’ when communicating with someone who is Deaf, to all their staff members,’’ suggested Shamila.
Talk Sign campaign manager Alice Leah said: “We are so excited by our collaboration with the nine Chateau Gateaux branches in KZN and Gauteng who have embraced this KZN Blind and Deaf Society initiative. This is the first time the campaign has secured a large retailer to sell stickers to the public, which skyrockets the availability of stickers. The Talk Sign campaign aims to popularise South African Sign Language (SASL) and the money raised from sticker sales is used for the education of the Deaf and hard of hearing, and to assist with job creation and placement.”
Read also: Talk Sign project aims to bridge divide with the deaf
President of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society, Justice Zak Yacoob said: ‘’It is a human right of every person who is Deaf to be able to communicate – to understand others and to be understood. We all need to communicate with each other. Imagine how lonely it must be when you don’t understand what the people around you are saying and, no-one understands what you are trying to say. This is how people who are Deaf feel, around those who don’t understand South African Sign Language (SASL),’’ added Justice Yacoob.
For bulk sticker orders to sell at school or work, contact Alice on 082-577-2110 or e-mail alice@thealist.co.za or visit www.talksign.co.za for more information.
