Celebrating International Day of the Deaf in China
October 9th, 2008 by Rich
My first exposure to being deaf in China was inteh airport when what appeared to be a group of high schoolers were waiting by the gate signing to each other. Initially my curiosity lead me to wonder if the signs they were using were the same as the ones others used in the US, Uk, or other location. Was apple still apple?
In the next line of thought though I realized that I had been in China 3 years (at that time), and this was the first time that I had been exposed to the deaf in China.
In overcoming stigmas of any kind, education plays a critical role, and as a part of this process it is important that public awareness campaigns are linked in some way to overcoming the unknowns of a disability.
In China, being deaf is not a statistical anomaly by any means:
The latest statistics show China has about 20 million people with hearing disabilities, which is about 20 percent of the world’s total. Among them, more than 800,000 are children below the age of six. The number is increasing at a rate of 20,000 to 30,000 kids per year.
So, when I see that China’s Association of the Deaf will celebrate International Day of the Deaf through a three day event (Oct 30 - Nov 2) , I see another step in this process taking place.
Initially designed to give the children:
“a chance to learn more about treatment from recovery institutions, hearing aid companies and alike,” said Yangwho is also a councilor of China Disabled Persons’ Federation. “Three local deaf speakers will also share their experiences in learning how to speak.”
I also hope that the event will be showcased in a way that opens up the minds of a wider audience. In Shanghai, I am now seeing on a semi-regular basis the deaf communicating on the streets with one another, and while I have yet to see an act of ignorance in their presence occur - my conversations with others who are handicap will admit that public stigmas still exist for them.
This entry was posted on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 at 6:53 am and is filed under Civil Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Hi my name is wendy , i live in Shanghai and i would like to do some volunteering in orphanages or any place i can help.
I am fluent in mandarin. i have only found , volunteers for money.. but i want to go and help there
May 16th, 2008 at 10:18 am
hi, i have no roofing experience, but would like to help more than just giving donation. please let me know if i can be of any help anywhere.
May 17th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I would like to help in the reconstruciton efforts. pls contact me to let me know how. many thanks.
May 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hallo, thankyou for your organisation. I got the adress from the german newspaper Westfalenpost where mrs. Vivian Lucia Fluck - Student of the Uni Chengu, reported. - In Chengdu / near by, ist a part of the water - administration of the provinz Sichuan. I know the following adress: Du Jiang Yan, Gong Yuan Li Str. - The leader is Mr. Li (2006) Water-Online - -. His son - JUN - had been in the german wateradministration 11.2005 - 3.2006- (StUA Hagen) with me. One of the mainpoints he looked for was the security of damms. It may be he searches contacts for what to do. - I did not get any contact, mails does not reach him. The handy did react, but nobody pressed the buttom. Regards to Mrs Fluck.
Let´s hope the best. Th. Keuthen, D-Schwerte
May 18th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Hi there,
I have not roofed in many years since doing it with my father, but i think I could manage, and if not, I can defenetly carry shinges or something.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
I am in shanghai…..would love to help
May 19th, 2008 at 4:26 am
Hi there,
I desperately would like to contribute like the others too. Together we unite, Together we build new homes. I’m living in Singapore now, but willing to fly there to help. Please revert. It’s heartbreaking to see such tragedy.
Thanks!
May 19th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I am from the UK and based in Northern Thailand running a business, i am a skilled plumber and have good knowledge of roofing/electrical/building construction. I have spent several years in Shanghai, speak some manderin, still have a valid chinese visa…willing to travel out my own pocket…
May 19th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
Hallo!
One good news: my friend Jun Li and his family could leave their house seconds before it collapsed. Nobody is seriosly hurt. But what now?
How and wich program the goverment of sichuan will creat and offer must be expected. The mainpoints of the desaster I think can´t be the new places of development. For the meantime are houses needed wich can be built quick and save. Winter is comming soon.
Never give up the hope. Th.K.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:21 am
Hi!
My name is Ola and I’d love to help! Please let me know if you need any assistance at orphanages, schools…wherever you need volunteers. Currently, I’m studying in London but will be ariving in Hong Kong shortly (2 June) and basically could make my way to Sichuan within few days.
Many thanks!
May 20th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
hi,
i’d love to do some volunteeer work in quake hit areas im living in chengdu,plz let me know if i can help,i am always ready .
thanks
May 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
I would like to go and help in Sichuan
this summer.
Sincerly,
Jim Hicks
May 25th, 2008 at 5:38 am
Hello..
please let me help out. any way u can. help cllect funds or help in Sichuan.. I would like to help..
pls contact me asap banana_skin5@hotmail.com
May 25th, 2008 at 5:40 am
I would appreciate chance to come and help out in Chengdu as soon as possible. My plan is to fly to Chengdu on Tuesday May 27th, and would love to get busy right after arrival.
I am no skilled roofer but I have basic skills from simpler building tasks, painting, etc. At least I can carry material to building site, if no other tasks are considered suitable for me.
At the moment I’m in Sweden, but I have visa and would like to come over asap, if you find it useful. Have been to China several times and can manage relatively well with my basic Mandarin and plenty of creativity.
If you already have enough volunteers, it would be appreciated if you could send a quick message and let me know if there are any other organizations/projects needing help (and perhaps how I can contact them.)
Thank you in advance. Hope to hear from you very soon. Best wishes,
Eve
May 25th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Hi Everyone.
Just a note to let you know that we have established Hands On Chengdu (www.handsonchengdu.org) to manage volunteer opportunities.
We will begin actively placing people in 2-3 weeks as there is still little ability to bring in volunteers at this point.
Note: Unless you have a specific NGO that you are in contact with for a specific task, we are highly discouraging anyone from going to the area. Besides the fact that there are 65,000 unskilled volunteers in the area who are sitting idle, every person who simply shows up without being invited will ultimately not be put to best use.
Therefore, we hope that people interested in volunteering will visit http://www.handsonchengdu.org and register themselves as volunteers. once we begin scheduling the opportunities you will be able to RSVP, your training will be scheduled, and then we can place you in an appropriate opportunity.
Thanks
Rich
October 26th, 2008 at 1:56 am
Have a nice day!
Hello there! Thank u for your love and support. i live in india. iam proud of the deaf.its very interesting and usful. i want to chat me friends.
Best of Luck;-)
srinivas