Contact the "deaf" in attendance to inform them of the latest developments in the pandemic
Sign language specialists overcome the “Corona” crisis with exposed faces
Sign language is a term used for deaf and dumb communication.
From the source
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The expert and sign language specialist at the Ministry of Community Development, Abeer Zaid Al-Shehhi, said that the first period of the spread of the “Corona” pandemic represented a real threat to the health of sign language specialists (interpreters) and deaf people of determination alike, due to the need for both sides to speak to one another, Face to face, while communicating with them was necessary to inform them of the latest developments in the pandemic.
Al-Shehhi, who is the first certified expert, translator and trainer of sign language in the UAE, confirmed the increased risks of translators being exposed to the risks of transmitting the virus to them as a result of their inability to protect themselves during their work in support and assistance to the deaf, “because they could not cover their faces with masks while they were talking to them,” at a time The number of accredited specialists at the state level does not exceed 29, according to the latest statistics of the Ministry.
People of determination of hearing impairment depend on a sign language specialist to understand their surroundings and to know information and developments that are difficult for them to comprehend, especially since deaf people cannot understand written texts, as a result of their inability to hear and learn the letters used in writing sentences.
That is why they rely mainly on oral communication through sign language.
The number of people of determination of hearing disabilities at the state level and registered in the ministry's data is about 2,848 citizens and residents, until the end of the first quarter of this year, including 1,143 females, compared to 1,705 males.
Sign language can be defined as a term given to the non-vocal means of communication used by the deaf and dumb people of determination, through which words are explained through four tools that include hand movements, such as fingers, to clarify numbers and letters, and facial expressions, to convey feelings and tendencies that are associated with hand movements to give structures There are many meanings, in addition to the movements of the lips, which represent an advanced stage of the power of observation and training, as the deaf reads words directly from the lips, in addition to the fourth tool represented in the movement of the body, such as placing some signs on the shoulders, or the sides of the head, chest and abdomen, in suggestive use To clarify desires and meanings that differ from one country to another according to the language and culture of the country.
On the importance of the role of the sign specialist during periods of crisis, Al-Shehhi said that sign language specialists did not have the option to isolate and not communicate in person with the deaf, in implementation of the preventive measures related to the spread of “Corona”, not only because of the difficulty of understanding with them from a distance in these difficult circumstances, but also as a result of The need to support them morally because of the impact of the pandemic and as a result of their dissatisfaction with the new situation, which requires not to deal with them in the way that preceded the pandemic.
She added that the sign language interpreters had to stay for long hours explaining to the hearing impaired the developments of the epidemiological situation and the details of the precautionary measures.
They also had to anticipate contacts at any time from the families of the deaf in response to their wish and request to speak to a sign language specialist.
She added that preparing them psychologically and technically to be able to communicate through virtual channels took weeks, during which the team of sign language specialists met daily for long hours to discuss how to develop the appropriate plan to deal with people with hearing disabilities, communicate information to them and support them psychologically.
Al-Shehhi stressed that her work and the work of her colleagues as sign translators cannot fall within the category of technical work, because it requires the presence of a large amount of human passion towards supporting others, who differ in their needs and capabilities, noting that she hopes that the number of sign language speakers from all working groups will increase. In all professional and societal sectors.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry implements intensive and periodic training courses to teach sign language, which include not only employees working in transportation, education, health care and media, but also children in the first years of school.
Abeer Al Shehhi, a psychiatrist for the deaf and dumb category, holds a number of experiences and scientific certificates, including bachelor's and master's degrees in special education.
It was also able to memorize the unified dictionary of sign language at the level of the Arab world, by professional experts, and it has an influential role in implementing the policy of integrating deaf people of determination in regular schools.
2848 The number of people with hearing impairment, citizens and residents in the UAE.
Abeer Al-Shehhi: “The sign language specialists did not have the option to isolate or apply preventive measures.”
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