Message from the Executive Director
A brief account of some common experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Uganda (and similarly in many African nations) highlights the apparent discrimination, prejudice, isolation and barriers they face on a daily basis. It is imperative to urgently respond to the abuse of their fundamental human rights and provide intervention strategies to restore their rights and dignity. Societies and governments need to clearly understand and work towards eradicating social, cultural, economic and political injustices that impede Deaf people's progress by recognising their intellectual abilities and abundant potentials. It is through genuinely appreciating the Deaf as equal, productive citizens of Uganda that our country will truly move towards development.

OUR WORK:

Since Deaf people exist in larger hearing communities, they also form a significant part of mainstream societies. As such, they must be fully recognised and respected as a dynamic minority with potentials to contribute to local, regional, national and global advancement.

A VULNERABLE COMMUNITY:

Regrettably, the grave reality is that historically and up to date, the human rights of Deaf people in Uganda have been grossly abused. They are disenfranchised, victimised and continually suffer discrimination mainly stemming from stigma, misconceptions and deep-seated cultural taboos about deafness that devalue them. Commonly treated as sub-human, Deaf people are frequently subjected to neglect, ridicule, emotional and physical violence. Prejudices propagate stereotypical notions that alienate and designate inferior status on them, while communication and language barriers prevent them from gaining access to relevant life-saving information, thus curtailing their overall progress. Evidently in Uganda and many other African indigenous languages, the use of derisive and derogatory terms used to refer to a Deaf person shows the blatant social degradation they suffer. Here is a glimpse of some indigenous terms used to refer to a Deaf person: a) Ugandan languages: in Luganda, Gisu and Lusoga: "Kasiru" directly translated as: stupid one; Iteso: "Ebang" meaning: mad person; b) Kinyarwanda (Rwanda) and Kirundi (Burundi) respectively: "Ikiragi" meaning: thing ofno value; In Swahili (East Africa's Lingua Franca): "Kiwete." All these outrightly abusive, disrespectful and diminutive terms, denote idiocy. It is terribly disheartening that Deaf people, who are highly dignified, continue to be rampantly referred to in such derogatory ways.

Think about terms used to refer to a Deaf person in your own indigenous languages (in reference to developing countries) - hardly will you find a positive or respectful term. If you do, I'll be very delighted to know about it and take record. Please kindly send me a note via email.

In many Ugandan societies a Deaf person is considered useless and thought to be mad. In Serere, one of the rural communities in Eastern Uganda, people blame a Deaf person for his or her deafness and casually call out: "Ebubu ngon" meaning "that thing!" Even when the person has a name - it is not used, which denies them a personal identity. These deplorable terms, which greatly corrupt social perceptions and attitudes towards the Deaf, subsequently result in their being undermined and exploited – they contribute to Deaf people’s vulnerability. Now, can you imagine the lives of Deaf children? Steeped in negativity and surrounded by abusive environments from an early age, instead of nurturing them, most parents and families inhibit their growth. Our director Okwele comments: "It feels frustrating when hearing people laugh at us when we Sign! Many mock our Sign Language by making monkey-like gestures to imitate us. The sheer lack of respect reflects the backwardness and ignorance of most of our African societies. That the majority of hearing people exhibit lack of understanding and failure to accept us the way we are, hinders the progress of our humanity (deaf and hearing alike). Our Deafness will NOT change - its social attitudes that MUST CHANGE! This is our advocacy at Deaf Link Uganda."

WASTE OF POTENTIAL HUMAN RESOURCES:

It is incredible that despite the enormous barriers and difficult circumstances in which Deaf people live, they nevertheless exhibit indelible strengths and resilience.  The last 15 years during which I have worked and interacted with Deaf people from different parts of the world have been the most deeply inspirational, enriching and valuable experiences in my life!  Contrary to negative social beliefs, Deaf people possess great intellectual abilities and a diversity of skills that are beneficial to the individual and society. Therefore, undermining and abusing the Deaf is absolutely counterproductive because it prevents the productivity of a particularly unique human resource, capable of playing a pivotal role in facilitating the progress of African societies. As we strive towards promoting barrier free societies that advocates the rights of Deaf Africans, it is important to educate, enlighten and sensitise the general citizenry and governments about the value of Deaf people.

GENDER DISCRIMINATION:

In sub-Saharan Africa, girls and women in general find it difficult to get an education or a job. Statistics show that instead of going to school, 44 million girls stay at home to fetch water or work around the house. The situation is much worse for Deaf females who are among the most vulnerable and marginalised in our societies. They face triple discrimination due to deafness, gender and extreme poverty. Susceptible to sexual and physical violence, exploitation, and HIV infection, most Deaf girls are in addition, denied basic needs and opportunities such as, education and the acquisition of employable skills to enable them lead meaningful and sustainable lives - yet greater economic abilities create less poverty. Instead, they are forcefully confined in homes and subjected to laborious household chores.  Personal stories reveal harrowing experiences that endanger their lives. As one Deaf woman recounts: “I wake up very early in the morning to begin cleaning our homestead, then walk long distances to collect water before my family wakes up - am responsible for cooking all the family meals. While the rest of my siblings go to school, I am forced to work in the fields – sometimes in the sweltering heat – cultivating and growing food. From dawn to dusk there is no moment to rest. My parents hate me and treat me like a slave - simply because of being Deaf. Am now a grown woman, but they have refused me to marry, yet all my younger siblings have married and left home. During family outings, am left locked in the house and not allowed to leave the confines of our home. If I do, my parents beat me. They also prohibit my Deaf friends from visiting me.” This is a typical experience of many Deaf girls. Families deny them the right to marry due to unfounded superstitious that deafness is a curse or a result of witchcraft, and that if the woman marries, she will give birth to Deaf children. Also most communities do not believe that Deaf women are capable of motherhood and when a woman becomes pregnant, she is forced to abort her baby against her will.

HIV/AIDS:

Not only HIV and AIDS, but so many diseases continue to haunt Africa. Even though it’s almost half a century since most nations gained independence, out healthcare systems are abysmal. Many perfectly preventable diseases still hover around: measles, mumps, rubella and meningitis are among the most prevalent illness responsible for causing deafness in early childhood. Vaccines can help reduce incidents of deafness – yet in most circumstances, they are not easily accessible.    
The HIV and AIDS pandemic continues to be the greatest threats to our lives here in sub-Saharan Africa. In Uganda, a country that has gained worldwide acclaim for its efficacy in fighting AIDS, Deaf citizens continue to be neglected and excluded from equally benefiting from nationwide HIV programmes. Although there is a growing media industry (radio, television, public announcements, billboards and print media - albeit concentrated in cities) used in different regions to fight against HIV/AIDS, all these concerted efforts are overwhelmingly geared towards hearing populations. Eighty per cent of Uganda's population lives in rural areas with limited health facilities, stigma, lack of knowledge and long distances that prevent many people from accessing HIV care, treatment and support services. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, majority of who also live in rural areas, the situation is grim as it is further compounded by discrimination, poverty, cultural prejudices, communication difficulties, language barriers, lack of awareness about HIV among Deaf populations, limited literacy levels and the lack of awareness among HIV organisations about Deaf people’s special needs. In addition, misconceptions prevail that the Deaf are sexually inactive - incapable of sexual emotions and therefore not at risk of infection. Such misconstrued perceptions of a people who are as sexually active as anybody else, seriously endangers their lives. Deafness does not, in anyway, affect a person's sexuality. Unless Deaf citizens are equally considered, such notions will continue to cause great suffering and the unnecessary loss of Deaf people's lives.

Deaf females are especially disadvantaged because of vulnerability to sexual violence, rape, exploitation and coercion - which expose them to higher risks of HIV infection. Many Deaf girls and women have shared personal stories of being raped and sexually abused not only by strangers, but also family relatives and spouses. Ironically, Deaf men are also among the worst abusers of Deaf women. Some women have shared experiences of being tortured and tormented by their Deaf spouses, who abuse them physically, emotionally and sexually. The realities of HIV infection are frighteningly apparent among Deaf women – many are gravely concerned about being infected, yet lack the power to protect themselves. Though willing to know their HIV status, many are unable to access free voluntary counseling and testing services due to communication difficulties, prejudices, negative attitudes of medical personnel and lack of interpreters. Those living with HIV/AIDS are mostly unaware of available HIV support services and cannot gain access to free Anti Retroviral drugs. With the combination of extreme poverty, many have succumbed to AIDS related illnesses - including Deaf children born with HIV. "There are 7.5 million orphans and vulnerable children in Uganda. About 4 million households have at least an orphan and 46% of them orphaned by AIDS." (The New Vision: 6 June, 2008). Unknown among these orphans are Deaf children whose experiences and suffering remain untold.
 
Uganda leads Africa in its Anti Retroviral Therapy programmes and receives considerable donor assistance in the form of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, voluntary counseling and testing services. Therefore, I find it disagreeable and unacceptable that our Deaf citizens continue to remain marginalised. Their exclusion from funding and policy making is a morally questionable human rights issue that urgently needs addressing. There is a critical need for HIV/AIDS service providers and policy makers to develop inclusive approaches, and especially become sensitised about the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Otherwise, all national efforts in the fight against AIDS will continue to be seriously undermined – and they will fail.

Nevertheless, there is great hope. Kenya is one of the few countries that has spearheaded pioneering efforts to respond effectively to the HIV/AID epidemic in the Deaf community. An NGO known as Liverpool VCT (voluntary counseling and testing), Care & Treatment, set up the "Liverpool Deaf VCT," specifically targeting Deaf people in Kenya. The country has three Deaf VCT centres in Nyaweri (Kisumu), Nairobi and Mombasa. The organisation, working with the Kenyan government under the Ministry of Health, provides Deaf friendly and confidential VCT services directly to Deaf clients. Services are provided by trained Deaf counselors and peer educators using the National VCT Training curriculum. I recently visited Nyaweri VCT and received free VCT by a Kenyan Deaf professional counselor - all done in Kenyan Sign Language! Over 3,400 Deaf clients have been served since the programme inception in 2003. Many have benefitted from this outstanding and highly effective service, which has transformed and saved the lives of many Deaf Kenyans living with HIV and AIDS. In addition, there are over 100 Deaf mobile VCT services used to reach and serve Deaf people in rural communities. This is a phenomenal breakthrough and achievements that must be shared with other African countries. I wish to applaud Liverpool VCT and the Kenyan government for taking on such highly successful and great initiative, and recognising the importance of including the Deaf in HIV/AIDS programmes. However, it is my deepest hope that Liverpool VCT and the Kenyan government will develop networks with other African governments to extend Deaf VCT services to as many Deaf Africans as possible. Please read more about Liverpool Deaf VCT at: www.liverpoolvct.org

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS….AND THE DEAF?

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) adopted by 189 governments at the turn of this century emphasise human and social development. Some of the targets set to be achieved by 2015 include: ending extreme poverty, eradicating preventable diseases, providing universal primary education and promoting gender equality. However, over half-way to 2015 and the world has yet to make these Goals inclusive of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in developing nations. In Africa, where being Deaf means being destined to a life of abject poverty, these goals remain invisible for Deaf, Hard of Hearing and most Persons with Disabilities in African countries. They are overwhelmingly denied access to educational, social, economic and cultural opportunities – in addition to lacking representation at legislative levels. The majority of Deaf people are victims of poverty not only in a material sense – lacking income, food or housing – but also through their exclusion from participating in national poverty eradication programmes. It is extremely essential that MDGs become inclusive, not only for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind, but for all Persons with Disabilities in developing countries.
 
In striving to create a world where justice, peace and freedom prevail – a world where all citizens are considered with equality, respect and dignity, it is a duty upon all of us to become involved. Let us take on issues that affect the Deaf and Persons with Disabilities as our own issues and help bring them into the broader context of community and national issues on human rights, education, gender equality, economic development, public health, social and cultural justice. Let us, especially focus special attention to ending violence against Deaf females and children and the harmful effects of gender injustice. Just as the amaZulu philosophy states: "umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” - a person is a human being through other people." It is crystal clear call on all of us to respond to our collective human needs. The needs of the Deaf are truly our needs too. Okwele sums it up eloquently: "We do not need sympathy; we need people to believe in us and understand that we can make it because we work to perfection!"

Thank you for your interest in our work. We hope that you will join our cause in raising awareness about Deaf people, not only in Uganda, but in Africa and the rest of the world – especially the ‘developing world’.  My deepest wish is that we will all join hands in celebrating Deaf Culture as an integral part of national and global cultural heritage. I hope that you will be a significant player in bringing about a tide of change that will transform the lives of all of us: Deaf and Hearing people alike.