40 graduate in sign language at Solusi

A TOTAL of 40 people were recently awarded certificates after completing a training course in sign language at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church-run Solusi University.

The university partnered with Sunrise Sign Language Academy to launch the training programme targeting professionals, students and members of the community.

The training was conducted over a period of two weeks and was open to anyone as part of efforts to empower stakeholders to embrace people with special needs in their communities and or organisations.

Sunrise Sign Language Academy director, Mr Douglas Mapeta, said they formed the academy after realising the gap in communication in organisations, especially in hospitals.

“I realised the need to have people, doctors in particular, to understand sign language so as to get a proper and correct diagnosis of a deaf patient’s ailment,” he said.

Mr Mapeta said sign language will also bridge the gap of communication between everyone in the world.

“People with disabilities will get better recognition in the community if their caregivers know how they really feel. This also raises concern over the morality of equal opportunities when the society does not know what such people need and expect,” he said.

A lecturer from Solusi University who was among the graduates, Dr Thembinkosi Sibanda, said the programme was beneficial and should be included in the education system.

“As an educator, I am really thrilled with acquiring this universal language, which makes me conversant to everyone including the deaf,” she said.

“This simplifies the course of my occupation as an educator and as a Christian it makes it easier for me to evangelise, reaching everyone including those who use sign language to communicate,” said Dr Sibanda.

She said sign language was a universal language that can be understood across the globe.

“Sign language is universal and it makes it easier for one to communicate in countries where they are not familiar with the national languages.

“It’s a must for everyone to learn sign language since it’s the number one universal language to reach out to everyone,” added Dr Sibanda.

Another graduate, who is also a religious leader, Pastor Sikhumbuzo Mnkandla, acknowledged the importance of sign language, saying messages are easier to reach the entire world.

“People with disabilities face significant challenges in our day-to-day lives. Sometimes they are marginalised, sometimes they are left out and sometimes they are not included in important aspects of their lives that involve them,” he said. “Sign language, particularly addresses those with hearing impairment and sign language accesses their world so that you begin to realize their challenges, joys and satisfactions. Sign language levels the playing field for humankind.

“I recommend everyone to find time and invest in acquiring the skills so that we are able to broaden our communication skills,” said Pastor Mnkandla.