5 ways to avoid audism

It is essential to teach sign language and how to engage with a person with hearing loss as part of moral lessons in school. Photo: Filepic

It’s International Week of the Deaf and Melina Sylvia An, who became deaf when she was a teenager, wishes that Malaysians could be more attentive to the ways they can effectively communicate with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.

“People can learn Malaysian Sign Language (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia) and take time to learn to understand about the deaf community and do their bit to make things more accessible to deaf people, in the media, public services, employment, education, and also digital solutions,” said Melina in an email interview.

The deaf insurance underwriter says that it is equally essential for people to be courteous, patient and inclusive with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing so that they are not marginalised.

Melina is also raising awareness about audism, a term used to describe negative attitudes against individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Melina (left) says the hearing community should be more mindful of the deaf community's needs. Photo Renik Jayanasen Fair

“It is a form of prejudice, discrimination or unwillingness to accommodate those who cannot hear. Sadly, the public and institutions still lack awareness on audism,” said Melina.

Consultant clinical psychologist Dr Valerie Jacques concurs, saying part of the school syllabus should include ways to communicate with and relate to differently-abled people.

“It is essential to teach sign language and how to engage with a person with hearing impairment as part of moral lessons in school.

“As much as people want to learn another language so they can communicate or visit the country where this language is spoken, perhaps we can incorporate the learning of sign language to allow for more inclusion of deaf people in schools, and society.”

Here are five examples of audism to be aware of:-

1) Not making an effort during communication

When there is a deaf person present at a gathering, it is vital to include them in the conversation. If you don’t know Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia, get a pen and paper and explain what is being said to them. Take time to understand the deaf community and improve on accessibility, be it on social media, public services or education opportunities. Being courteous and patient and inclusive with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

It is important to raise awareness of the deaf community and the challenges they face in the hope of creating a more inclusive environment. Photo: Serena Lee

2) Assuming deaf people can’t do things

Deaf individuals can’t hear, but that doesn’t mean they can’t perform tasks that hearing-able people do. There are many successful musicians, inventors and actresses who are deaf. Did you know German musician Ludwig Van Beethoven, inventor Thomas Edison and author Helen Keller were deaf? Present day examples of successful deaf people are Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin and young actress Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger Things) was born deaf in one ear. Despite being labelled specially-abled, these talented people left an indelible mark in their respective fields.

Millie Bobby Brown (centre) was born with partial hearing loss in one of her ears. Photo: Handout

3) Employment discrimination

Article 27 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that people with disabilities have the right to work on an equal basis with others. However, a news report in 2015 revealed that only 3,741 persons with disabilities held jobs in the public sector out of our country’s over one million civil servants. Companies should make efforts to employ people with disabilities, including those who are hard of hearing.

4) Ignorance

We can insult the deaf with specific terms we use when we do not know anything about them. For example, they do not like being labelled as mute. Mute means absence of sound or volume. They are normal human beings who can laugh or cry. So please do not call them dumb or mute. It’s hurtful.

5) The belief that life without hearing is miserable

The deaf community comprises people with hopes and aspirations, like you and me. They can enjoy music even if some deaf people don’t like music. Sometimes, they can feel the rhythm of the music being sung on the television. Isn’t that amazing?