Education

UGANDA SIGN LANGUAGE

In 1995 Uganda Sign Language (USL) was recognized as an official and primary language of the Deaf who comprise 0.35% of Uganda’s population.

It is estimated that 80% of Uganda’s deaf children are denied access to education due to discrimination, poverty, stigma and negative cultural practices that associate deafness to supernatural causes. Deaf children’s exclusion from education stems from common beliefs held that deaf children are ineducable, yet the acquisition of sign language occurs in special schools for the deaf. The situation is compounded by the fact that majority of deaf children are borne in hearing families where parents do not know sign language. Regrettably, deaf children grow up without any language and are severely restricted to gestural communication, a sad reality that impacts their cognitive and social development.

Economic empowerment for the deaf is a far-reaching dream as many are victims of exploitation due to being confined to a low socio-economic status which denies them access to gainful employment. Few employers are willing to hire deaf persons, even when they are well qualified with specialised skills and education; common excuses of communication and language barriers cover up for existing prejudices and inequalities rampant in Uganda’s job market. Nevertheless, Biplous Uganda Limited stands out as exceptional in its equal employment policy, with a current employment of 21 deaf people working in different departments at this business enterprise which ranks among Uganda’s leading furniture-making companies.

In an effort to improve communication among hearing and deaf employees, Biplous management contacted Deaf Link Uganda (DLU) to provide a months’ sign language course. Held at its headquarters at Kawempe, a sprawling and busy Kampala suburb, DLU took on this assignment with great enthusiasm, training seven heads of departments from different sectors. By the end of training, there was a significant difference in acquired communication skills and improved interaction between managers and their deaf employees.
Sessions were vibrant and interactive, giving impetus to the company’s interest to bridge communication gaps and create conducive work environments.

USL in session & End of Course: DLU staff with participants

Biplous’ Human Resource manager, one of the participants recounts her feelings of the course: I’ve acquired communication skills and techniques, which has raised my confidence levels in working with our deaf peers. Prior to this course, I felt inadequate in dealing with issues affecting deaf employees as I couldn’t reach out to serve them effectively due to lack of language. Our communication was always limited to writing which lacks depth and cohesion. I’m extremely delighted for the opportunity to take this Sign Language course.

The course highlight was a visit to Uganda School for the Deaf, organized by DLU to enable participants interact with deaf children. It was a very special event, filled with great joy and jubilation as Biplous donated scholastic materials and consumables to the children’s delight!