The conversation rippling through the conference room in Benoni on Gauteng’s East Rand was animated.
Several of the 60 people packed around half a dozen tables were talking to one another at the same time. Despite the hype of activity and tangible energy everything was dead silent. Those who were present are deaf and were talking sign language.
They are the chosen ones who will soon go into South Africa’s towns and villages to find illiterate deaf people who could benefit from the government’s Kha ri Gude mass literacy campaign.
Ingrid Parkin of DeafSA, which represents the interests of deaf people and has been instrumental in recruiting the volunteers and conceptualising the training for the campaign to reach the deaf, says the process is unique.
“Using the deaf to teach the deaf – this can set a trend for the rest of the world,” says Parkin, who is studying towards her Master’s degree in inclusive education.
One of the benefits is that the hearing world – and hearing trainers – may not be adequately tuned into the culture and the needs of deaf people and are often uncomfortable in the presence of hearing people.
According to Parkin, who is married to the Olympic swimmer and medal winner Terence Parkin, the country has a 75% illiteracy rate in the deaf community (an estimated one million people).
The campaign will give illiterate deaf people a limited ability to sign, the basics of South African sign language, before teaching them to read and write in English (they don’t know other South African spoken languages).
Jabaar Mohamed, a young deaf graduate and one of the coordinators of the deaf trainers, says the Kha ri Gude campaign will change lives.
“The majority of deaf people cannot read or write. This is the start of many things for deaf people in South Africa,” he says.
Hilda Mbetha from Cape Town already works as a teaching assistant at a school for deaf children.
“In the past there has not been education for the deaf. They cannot write their names, they can’t manage their money or take their tablets correctly.
“Maybe in 2010 when visitors to the World Cup get lost, deaf people can write directions for them,” she says.
As part of the campaign, aimed at people with disabilities, 100 blind volunteer educators will be trained to assist, ultimately reaching 1 000 blind illiterates this year. In addition, the campaign hopes to reach some of the estimated 280 000 disabled children who are not attending school.