The local government of Cadiz City started institutionalizing sign language within city hall as part of its inclusivity thrust to cater deaf mute clients, a press release from Cadiz PIO said.
Part of the “splendid endeavor” aimed at positioning Cadiz as the first fully deaf mute-friendly locality in Negros Ocidental was the two-day training program on Filipino Sign Language held at Balay Cadiznon on November 25 and 26.
A total of 80 participants comprising city department heads and employees, were trained on the basic sign language techniques, equipping them with necessary skills in order to effectively communicate with the deaf mute people visiting city hall.
These techniques include learning the alphabet, fingerspelling, as well as use of facial expression. Participants also learned theoretical knowledge and practical skills for communicating with hard of hearing individuals.
Acting as trainers were professional interpreters Joan Briones and Cecilia “Cici” Villacin.
Briones’ husband is deaf mute, while Cadiz native Villacin, the first MassKara Queen of Bacolod City, is deaf mute herself.
Cadiz Mayor Salvador Escalante, Jr. said institutionalizing sign language as part of the city government’s thrust in furthering inclusivity is “noblest” in sense and essence.
“Really, this is heart-warming to note. And we find it necessary to implement, considering the growing number of deaf mute people not just in Cadiz, but in other localities as well,” he said.
Cadiz, at present, has a total of 119 deaf mute people under the responsibility of the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the city.
Before, Escalante said, sign language seemed to be a taboo for many, labeled as an act of humiliating someone, especially the deaf mute.
“Now, it’s a must even in our daily dealings at city hall. We need to be friendly with anyone else, including with persons with disability, especially those in the category of deaf mute,” the mayor said.
“Let them (deaf mute people) feel that they really have a ‘special place’ in our local governance,” Escalante added.
He, however, said that communicating with deaf mute thru sign language is both interesting and challenging.
“Sign language is really full of mixed feelings beyond simple comprehension. There are also expressions within that drive human empathy. Astonishing, hence,” Escalante stressed.
Meanwhile, the recent sign language training was initiated by PDAO’s focal person Al James Madrid, who hoped that such will spell a lot of goodness and positivity for Cadiz’s immense quest to be a deaf mute-friendly community soonest.*
