Abdul Shafig leading a dance class for the deaf. — Photo courtesy of Abdul Shafig Saperi
WHEN Abdul Shafig Saperi took up a new job six years ago, it wasn’t just to earn a better income.
It was to inspire the deaf community to stand on their own feet, besides encouraging society to accept them.
Abdul Shafig, 38, was the first deaf food delivery rider in Sarawak. And thanks to him, even customers are picking up sign language.
He heads several organisations for the deaf, and what’s more – he is also a dance instructor.
Before July 2019, Abdul Shafig had worked at a car wash operated by the Sarawak Deaf Association, earning RM200 to RM300 a month, which was not enough to live on.
“One day, a deaf friend from the peninsula encouraged me to try working as a delivery rider. From there, my life changed.
Abdul Shafig (centre) with fellow riders. They all want to achieve financial independence and not dependent on charity.
“I found a new career and got a higher income. Most importantly, I felt satisfied and more independent.
“I wanted to prove that although I cannot hear and speak, I still have the spirit, energy and dignity to work and support myself, just like everyone else,” he said in an e-mail interview.
However, it was not easy at first.
Abdul Shafig was anxious about not being able to communicate clearly with customers or restaurant staff.
Writing short text messages in Bahasa Malaysia proved to be a challenge when foreign tourists didn’t understand the language.
“I had to force myself to write in English, although my language skills are limited. For many deaf people, reading long texts or complex language is difficult, whether in Bahasa Malaysia or English.
“So I taught myself to write messages in the simplest, most understandable way,” he said.
There were occasions when customers set their location incorrectly and gave directions like “Turn left”, “Beside the green house” or “Behind the park”.
“This can be very confusing for a deaf rider like me. I can’t speak on the phone to ask for an actual location, so I have to stop by the roadside, read each message carefully and patiently find my way,” Abdul Shafig said.
Abdul Shafig delivering food to customers. Now, many of his customers have learnt to speak in sign language.
He also recalled being scolded by elderly customers because he couldn’t hear them calling him.
“I just tried not to feel hurt and continued working as usual,” he said.
Over time, Abdul Shafig grew more confident in his job and in dealing with various situations.
He learnt to communicate in creative ways, not just by smiling but also through other facial expressions, hand gestures and body language.
To help customers understand him, he shows messages on his phone and uses communication cards.
His efforts have helped to bridge the communication gap to the point that many customers have started to learn and recognise the sign language for “hello”, “thank you”, “you’re welcome”, “goodbye” and “delicious food”.
“For me, that’s a big achievement. It not only makes my daily work easier but shows that public awareness towards the deaf community is increasing,” he said.
Buoyed by his experience, Abdul Shafig encouraged his deaf friends to join him as food delivery riders. There are now 27 deaf riders and drivers in Sarawak.
His motivation is simple: to encourage and inspire the deaf community to live independently and succeed.
“Deaf people also have the right to dream, strive and achieve success like others. Don’t be afraid to try and never give up,” he said.
“You cannot just sit at home without direction. If you depend on your parents for too long, what will happen when they are gone?
“How will you achieve financial independence if you don’t make the effort now? Our future depends on our own determination and effort.”
At the same time, Abdul Shafig wants society to know that the deaf are not a burden but just people who want to work hard and live with dignity.
He does his part to improve public awareness through his various roles as a leader in two deaf associations, a deaf interpreter and a dance instructor.
He advocates for more job opportunities for deaf people, encourages non-deaf people to learn Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) and serves as a communication bridge between the deaf community and the public.
“Sign language is a complete communication system, just like spoken language,” he said.
As a dance instructor, he observes that dance doesn’t require sound to be enjoyed.
“Deaf people can dance based on visuals and emotions. I was taught to dance by a deaf teacher who used hearing aids and counted hand movements from one to eight according to the rhythm, without any sound. Yet we moved in rhythm and with feeling,” he said.
Abdul Shafig has seen increasing awareness, from customers learning basic sign language to people asking how to help the deaf community.
“I believe awareness workshops and programmes to introduce deaf culture should be held frequently so that there will no longer be a gap between deaf and non-deaf people.
“We can all communicate better and respect each other,” he said.
He also urged the public not to be afraid to communicate with deaf people.
“A smile, writing a message or pointing with your hands is very helpful. Most importantly, don’t speak too quickly or turn away while talking, but look at us and pay attention,” he said.
“We need respect and understanding, not sympathy. If you are sincere, we will understand and appreciate it.”
