Stores urged train one employee for deaf-mute clients

CEBU, Philippines - The deaf-mute community in Cebu is urging all establishments offering basic services to train at least one employee of sign language to better understand deaf-mute customers and help them enjoy the same rights that “normal” people enjoy.

John Encarna Maunes, program manager of Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme, Inc., said people who are deaf-mute are often misunderstood because almost no one in the stores and in offices understands them.

This is the reason why GVSP started providing free trainings on sign language to establishments and government offices and to those interested to learn the same.

In fact, the Cebu City Government is among those that responded and supported the cause. It has sent 40 of its employees to the free sign language training and deaf awareness seminars.

The city government acknowledges the need to have employees who can communicate with people who are deaf-mute who visit City Hall. Maunes said the city government has started hiring deaf-mute people and has assigned them in different offices.

“These deaf-mute people have talents and skills, they have degrees so why should we prevent them from getting a job they deserve?” Maunes said.

Maunes said their ultimate goal is to empower the deaf-mute so they can be integrate into mainstream society.

Last Saturday, during the culmination of the Deaf Awareness Week, more than 300 deaf-mutes benefitted from the dental mission conducted by the Philippine Air Force and the Rotary Club at the Cebu Technological University Grounds.

A special corner was assigned for them at the Grand Halad Sa Kapamilya Booth of ABS-CBN at the same venue.

More than 40 deaf-mutes also participated in the football clinic provided by the Cebu Queen City United Football Club.

Leo Cabasag of the Volunteer Service Overseas was the speaker of the Deaf Culture Awareness and Basic Sign Language Seminar.

The Deaf Awareness Week is celebrated to every November as a reminder that people who are deaf-mute need everyone’s attention and understanding do exist. The week-long celebration seeks to make everyone aware of the needs and rights of people who are deaf-mute who are often misunderstood simply because some people are incapable of understanding them.

There are at least three people who are deaf-mute in a population of 1000. Cebu has a population of four million, which averages the number of people who are deaf-mute her at 7,000. — (FREEMAN)