Language is to communicate. Language is a right to express. Hence, even people with communication disabilities, have their own language to express them and this is sign language. So, for ensuring the right to let the voice out of people with communication disabilities and to aware others about it, two Global Xchange volunteers took initiative to train MAKATON language to the local youths of college in international Mother Language Day with co operation with YPSA.
MAKATON is a system of communication that uses a vocabulary of “key word” manual signs and gestures to support speech, as well as graphic symbols to support the written word. It is used by and with people who have communication, language or learning difficulties. It is different to the other sign languages as it is not needed to spell the word while using MAKATON. Hence, it is very effective to the people who have less literacy rate.
In this orientation program, students of two degree colleges have participated who are as well member of “College Disability Friends Club”. The session begun with basic orientation with MAKATON Language, its origin and implementation by GX volunteer Muhhammad Umar Khaiyam. Later another volunteer Aneirin Wenner joined with him in introducing some commonly used words of daily life usages.
Both of them trained the students how to develop communication with a person with learning difficulties. In later stages, they had also exchanged their views and plan with the students about sign language users and their preparation regarding the benefit of sign language users. They all have agreed to work for the language right of sign language users and thus paying tribute to all martyred souls who gave life for language movement in 21st February.
