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Momodou
Denmark
11735 Posts |
 Posted - 13 Feb 2008 : 21:58:59
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“We Need More Sign Language Interpreters”
GADHOH Executive Director Laments
By Yaya Bajo
Mr. Dodou Loum, the Executive Director of Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), has lamented that the deaf community in The Gambia are depending on only four (4) sign language interpreters countrywide to facilitate communication between the deaf and the rest of the hearing population. “We have only four sign language interpreters which the entire deaf community depend on and we therefore need more interpreters so that deaf people can easily share their views with health care providers in hospitals, teachers in schools and friends and colleagues in the society at large”, he said. The GADHOH Executive Director made these remarks over the weekend while delivering his reports at the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Girl Guide conference hall in Kanifing.
Speaking on the achievements of the association since its formation, Mr. Loum catalogued numerous development initiatives undertaken by the association which he described as laudable as they were all geared towards improving the conditions of their members. He said over the past years six (6) regional branches were established, namely Banjul, Brikama, Barra, Farafenni, Soma and Bwiam branches. He added that the association registered about 718 members and has, for the first time, a permanent head quarter which has close collaboration with government and non governmental organizations.
The association’s Executive Director further said that GADHOH has established a national sign language which has been welcomed by all deaf people. He said the office staff also acquired numerous skills training on organizational management, which improve efficiency in their performance. He further reported that deaf people have developed and now have access to more information around the would. He said many of them have also acquired skills and participate in social activities and, most importantly, engage in intermarriage.
Delivering the opening remark, Mr. Lamin Ceesay, GADOHO Board President, called for more support to enable them finish work at their new head office. He expressed their resolve to continue working in the interest of the deaf community in the country which, according to him, has been estimated to be about 20,000. “ We also want to embark on training of more sign language interpreters in the near future and secure more employment of our members”, he said.
On the financial status of the association, the GADHOH external auditor reported that the association has an income of D483,231.08 and expenditure of D448, 915.98 for the year 2007. She added that the balance at the bank as at end December, 2007 stood at D84,558.13.
The meeting culminated into the election of the new executive and Mr. Abdoulie Njie was unanimously re-elected as the president of the association.
GADHOH is a charitable organisation working for the creation of a society in which the deaf and hard of hearing people participate fully as citizens of the nation and enjoy all the benefits of such citizenship on a fair and equal basis.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issues
Issue No. 19/2008, 13 -14 February 2008
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2008 : 22:19:39
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There are many different deaf languages...but there are only 4 people in the WHOLE COUNTRY!!! We have more than that come into our school!
IN Uk there is BSL (British sign language) there is also Makaton.
Makaton is a system where you speak and sign key words. It is useful to all special needs pupils that are visual learners, not just the deaf. It encourages speech and reading skills.
I have signers in my classroom to support a hearing impaired pupil. we have all benefited from their skills and learnt alot. I encourage all my class to sign to support the deaf boy, it also reinforces their own learning. Key signs help them remember key points of lessons.
I am enjoying learning a new skill.
When I went to the new wood market I met a deaf and dumb boy called Sebarji Faal.
I was very impressed. He was there doing odd jobs and earning a small living.
In the UK a similar person would have a 24/7 carer......but woudlnt be working and wouldnt be independent.....
HIs life is hard, but free...in many ways better than his uk equivelant.
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fee_sweetie
United Kingdom
127 Posts |
Posted - 13 Feb 2008 : 23:58:34
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
When I went to the new wood market I met a deaf and dumb boy called Sebarji Faal.
I was very impressed. He was there doing odd jobs and earning a small living.
In the UK a similar person would have a 24/7 carer......but woudlnt be working and wouldnt be independent.....
HIs life is hard, but free...in many ways better than his uk equivelant.
Bev, that is the biggest load of s**t I've had the misfortune to ever read .... how dare you insinuate that a) because someone is deaf or hearing impaired that they will also be dumb and b) that a deaf person here in the UK wouldn't work! Get over yourself, woman! I know at least three profoundly deaf people (one who is indeed a BSL signer) who hold extremely high-level jobs and have totally independant lifestyles. The 'thinking' that anyone with a disability can't take part in mainstream education, employment, etc went out with the ark here in the UK. I'm amazed that someone who professes to be a 'special needs' teacher would peddle this bull***t in this day and age.
In fact, I'd be interested to hear your establishment's head teacher's (and also the pupils parents) reaction to your patronising posting.
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"Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it you'd have good people doing good things + evil people doing evil things but for good people to do evil things it takes religion"- Richard Dawkins |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2008 : 00:02:32
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Bev, time and time again I wonder which century you live in? Do you really think before you post? I worry about the children you are teaching if this is the sort of nonsense you fill their heads with.
I thought that we in the UK were already further on than the likes of those Eastern European countries where children with any form of disability are locked away and left to die.
Shame on you! |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2008 : 10:10:56
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NONE of the children I teach will EVER work. That is reality.
They have profound needs. If they went to work they would need someone supporting them at their side 24/7. this makes no economic sense for the employer.When the children I teach leave school they will all be in some sort of 'looked after'environment.The government picks up the bill for this care.
'DUMB' doesnt mean stupid, but speech impaired. The boy at the craft market had no speech and little signing, but still did a worthwhile job. I thought that was to be congratulated, that a role in society was found for him.
Of course many hearing impaired people have no problem working. I work alongside a great guy who is a hearing impaired linguist. He has fantastic skills. The key is though that he is also very bright.
He has the intellect to over come his problems. Someone with high IQ and a disability is more likely to work than someone of low intellect and multily disablility. This is a fact of life.
Where did anyone get the idea of 'locked away and left to die' from what I posted. The majority of my working week is spent taking pupils out into the community and teaching them life skills. This has the added bonus of making the local community more aware of the pupils and their needs. In these days of risk assessments it is a constant battle to get these children out of school. I fight that battle on their behalf!!! |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2008 : 11:13:58
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So, none of the children you teach will ever work - OK - but that's not everyone who is hearing impaired, is it?
Read your original posting (the one that has sparked this conversation!) and tell me where did you specifically mention those with profound needs?
To quote you "When I went to the new wood market I met a deaf and dumb boy called Sebarji Faal. I was very impressed. He was there doing odd jobs and earning a small living. In the UK a similar person would have a 24/7 carer......but woudlnt be working and wouldnt be independent....."
Also, did anyone say that they equated dumb with stupid (apart from you!!!)? Those of us with half a brain do know that not all people who are unable to speak have a hearing impairment just as not all people who have a hearing impairment are unable to speak - doh! And no, not all deaf people use or want to use signing as a form of communication before you even go down that avenue.
Rather than trawl the internet looking for info on your new holiday destination, I would suggest you use your spare time to attend some equality and diversity training instead. |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
Edited by - MeMe on 14 Feb 2008 11:19:31 |
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gambiabev
United Kingdom
3091 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2008 : 19:00:52
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MeMe.... I have the training and deal with the reality every day.
You seem to want to twist my words and patronise me. I'm not sure why?  |
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MeMe
United Kingdom
541 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2008 : 23:20:35
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quote:
Originally posted by gambiabev
MeMe.... I have the training and deal with the reality every day.
You seem to want to twist my words and patronise me. I'm not sure why?
Bev, it was you who was being patronising hence my inflamed replies. Please read your postings carefully and then my responses.
By focusing on this boy because of his disability and then lavishing praise on him for living his life you are perpetuating the myth that we are not all born equal and that people with a disability should be looked upon differently. Your E&D training would have offered a view on discrimination surely?
As for your sentence "HIs life is hard, but free...in many ways better than his uk equivelant" you are infering that disability in the UK equals institutionalisation.
These are all your (untwisted)words not mine! Throw off your pity cloak and take it on the chin, Bev ..... |
It is better to die standing than to live on your knees - Ernesto Guevara de la Serna |
Edited by - MeMe on 14 Feb 2008 23:25:55 |
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