Written by Joan Sim Jo Jo
Through the Professional Continuous Excellent Learning (ProCEL) program by UNIMAS Business School, the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), in collaboration with the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association (SDCSA), Kuching Life Care Society Hospice and Palliative Care Centre, successfully conducted a training programme titled “Communicating with the Malaysian Deaf Community: Language and Practice”. The training was held at Kuching Life Care Society Hospice and Palliative Care Centre and attracted a total of 27 participants, mainly professionals from hospitals and various agencies.
The programme aimed to enhance participants’ awareness and practical skills in engaging with the Deaf community. Key learning outcomes included:
- Understanding the fundamentals of Malaysian Sign Language (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia, BIM) and its role in the Deaf community.
- Demonstrating 20–30 basic BIM signs, such as greetings, self-introduction, and commonly used vocabulary.
- Exploring the concept of visual-gesture communication as a prelude to learning BIM.
- Recognising the importance of Deaf culture, respect for Deaf identity, and communication etiquette.
A highlight of the programme was the interactive role-play session with Deaf actors, simulating hospital scenarios. This engaging exercise not only provided a practical platform to apply BIM and visual gesture communication in real-life settings but also created moments of joy and laughter, leaving a lasting impact on all participants.
The training was jointly facilitated by Deaf instructors from SDCSA, Mr. Albert Wong Tuong Chui, Mr. Chua Tuan Sek, and Mr. Wan Arif Mahmud bin Wan Umar, together with Ms. Joan Sim Jo Jo and Ms. Peh Sher Ni from UNIMAS. The participants not only pick up practical communication skills, but also to appreciate the lived realities of the Deaf community in healthcare and social settings.
This training serves as a reminder that communication is the bridge to inclusion. The trainers would like to encourage more people to learn Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) as a way to connect with and support the Deaf community. By doing so, we not only gain a new skill but also contribute to creating a society where the voices and experiences of the Deaf are respected, valued, and understood.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change