Forum KomPekak 2022

It is understood that many Deaf people in Malaysia have a very vague idea or understanding about BIM and Deaf culture in Malaysia. Hence, MyBIM started an initiative to organize educational sessions for the Deaf community through Instagram. It was to ensure Deaf people across states in Malaysia have equal learning opportunities and exposures. The first session started in April 2022 and the last ended in December 2022. A total of eight educational sessions with Ms Ho Koon Wei, Mr Amir Hamidi, Ms Josephine Koo, Mr Marzuki Ong, Ms Annie Ong and Ms Jessica Mak respectively were successfully implemented. A big thank you to Mr Kevin Mak to coordinate this important project. We hope that we will be able to do similar sessions in the near future.

Kursus Pembangunan Fasilitator Pekak 202

Sesi Pernilaian Prestasi Peserta & Majlis Penutup Kursus Pembangunan Fasilitator Pekak 2022 telah diadakan secara maya melalui aplikasi ZOOM pada 23 Disember 2022

Tahniah kepada Semua Peserta Kursus yang menerima Sijil Latihan Kemahiran Fasilitator setelah mereka bersungguh-sungguh belajar ilmu pengetahuan pada 12 Nov hingga 23 Dis 2022. Mereka ingin belajar ilmu lagi di masa akan datang. InShaaALLAH

Terima kasih kepada Semua Pengikut Zoom Mybim menonton Ceramah Kesedaran & Keperluan Pekak pada 19 hingga 22 Dis 2022.

Terima kasih juga kepada 4 orang Jurulatih/Mentor/Penilai Pekak yang berpengalaman dalam bidang Fasilitator.

Alhamdulillah Syukur kepada ALLAH SWT

Marzuki Ong

Penyelaras Kursus

Four teams demonstrated their facilitator's skill after the 2-month training - Congratulations!

Tahniah atas kejayaan Team Pekak Boleh K4 

memberi ceramah terbaik dan pendedahan berkesan kepada pengikut Zoom.

Tahniah atas kejayaan Team Deaf Project K3 

memberi ceramah terbaik dan pendedahan berkesan kepada pengikut Zoom.

Tahniah atas kejayaan Team Deaf Gain K2 

memberi ceramah terbaik dan pendedahan berkesan kepada pengikut Zoom.

Tahniah atas kejayaan Team SuperDeaf K1

memberi ceramah terbaik dan pendedahan berkesan kepada pengikut Zoom.

Visual Communication Art - Based on BIM Poems

With the support of Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies (MyBIM), Deaf community in Malaysia successfully produced twelve BIM (Malaysian Sign Language) poems, including mine (Anthony’s Walls) in February 2021 & other 11 BIM poems performed in February, March and October 2022. All thanks to the British Council and Krishen Jit Fund making the production possible! 

What fascinated me is that BIM poems can be transformed into some artistic artworks. Here, I am looking at one of the artworks, done by Nicholas Sheum. The artwork is in black background on paper. I saw many moving hands. Once I look at the artwork, I cannot easily take my eyes off the artwork. The hands are alive! Could you believe that? I think it would be best if you go to see the artworks yourself. You will feel what I felt! 

A total of 12 artworks are created based on 6 selected poems out of 12 poems produced in 2021 and 2022. The artworks are available for your appreciation at an exhibition. 

Date: 16 - 18 December, 2022 (Friday to Sunday) 

Time: 12pm to 12am Place: Bukit Kiara Equestrian Resort 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmBulmTLu...

 

The artist will be at the exhibition from 2pm to 6pm on 16-18 December 2022. He will talk about the artworks. Take this opportunity to experience BIM poems through the artworks.

Here we are at the exhibition. You can see a few photos we took at the exhibition. 

BIM poets were coming for their hands photoshoot at the studio on 15 October 2022. 

LETTER | Nothing about us without us

Amar-Singh HSS et al
Published: Dec 12, 2022

LETTER | Malaysia has a long-standing practice of making policy decisions and planning programmes for us persons with disabilities and care partners - without engaging us.

This practice has yielded poor results that failed to address real OKU needs. The new unity government has a fresh chance to undo this harmful practice, by proactively and meaningfully engaging persons with disabilities and care partners in policy decision-making and programme planning.

“Nothing About Us Without Us” emerged globally in the 1990s, championed by persons with disabilities and allies to underscore the critical importance of our meaningful participation in all decision-making that affects our well-being.

Programmes and services developed by non-disabled persons for persons with disabilities are based on the view that disability is a problem that must be corrected to make “the disabled” as close to “normal” as possible.

In this view, a disabled person is perceived as lacking in the desirable characteristics of a “normal person” and is thus of lesser value and lesser humanity than so-called “normal” persons. This devaluing of anyone with a disability is ableism.

Ableist practices, beliefs and attitudes undermine and limit the fulfilment of the full potential of persons with cognitive, sensory, physical or psychosocial disabilities. It is ableist attitudes and beliefs, manifested as behaviour choices of non-acceptance, and hostility, that have a disabling effect. More information on ableism can be found here.

Importantly, the exclusion of persons with disabilities from meaningful participation in policy and programme decision-making exposes the internalised belief system of non-disabled persons, that we persons with disabilities are incapable of having our own aspirations and opinions.

We are forced to accept “Big Brother” deciding for us. Such institutionalised negative attitudes deny the valuable lived experiences of us persons with disabilities and care partners.

None of us would like our lives “controlled” by the decisions of others, especially without our voices being heard and given due consideration.

Token consultation for the sake of appearance will not suffice.

It is a wasteful use of resources and a loss not to engage us meaningfully in the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and corrective action concerning any policies and programmes that impact on our concerns and daily lives.

Some examples of negative practices

In the medical profession, specialists, in particular, are notorious for thinking that they know what is best for their “patients.”

Take, for example, the upcoming Health Ministry Action Plan for Dementia 2023-2030. Of the 73 persons invited to a planning meeting in December to harmonise an advanced draft, only one by designation is a care partner of a person with dementia.

To be fair, 23 persons from various ageing or dementia associations are invited (but quite a number of these are doctors). Not a single person living with dementia is on the list of invitees.

How can an effective and meaningful national plan be devised for meeting the real needs of persons with dementia and their care partners, if they are not represented adequately and time is not scheduled for listening to their valuable lived experiences?

The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry (KPWKM) which plans social services via the Welfare Department has a similar outlook. Policy and programme planning for persons with disabilities tends not to involve persons with disabilities and care partners in any serious manner.

Opinions may be obtained from some persons with disabilities, but are often neither comprehensive nor extensive: they tend not to involve all disability groups across all regions in the country. We persons with disabilities and care partners do not have a seat at the table and are not in leadership roles in policy and programme decision-making that directly impacts our lives.

In just three weeks, the KPWKM Pelan Tindakan OKU 2016-2022 will expire. And, yet, most persons with disabilities still have no idea as to what will replace them. There is hearsay that some new strategic document for OKU wellbeing may start in 2023. Who was consulted on that new document is a mystery.

The Education Ministry has a document entitled “The Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015-2025 (Higher Education).” This 40-page document is the product of engaging ~10,500 people over two years, with inputs from Malaysian and international education experts, and leaders of Malaysian higher learning institutions.

The document is built on the five aspirations of access, quality, equity, unity, and efficiency. Surprisingly, there is not a single word about “Inclusion” or “Disability.” It is as though 15 percent of the Malaysian population, those with disabilities, are non-existent. It is obvious that no persons with disabilities were consulted and no thought was given to addressing our right to education.

On progress in realising the rights of persons with disabilities, our nation has fallen very far back in comparison with our neighbours. This is the result of entrenched complacency with adherence to paternalistic and charity-based models.

Inclusion of persons with disabilities in the fabric of our society will foster inclusion in bridging disparities on all other dimensions of Malaysian society – including gender, ageing, urban-rural, income and ethnicity.

We call for a change in the outlook and practice of government ministries and agencies, professional bodies, civil society organisations and disability organisations. To keep pace with progress on other fronts, we must move from services led by non-disabled people to disability-inclusive services led by or co-created with persons with diverse disabilities.

Children and adults with disabilities and care partners have insights based on lived experiences that can guide everyone to design and implement policies and programmes with improved outcomes.

Many more Malaysians need to embrace the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.” And, have the courage to acknowledge that partnership with us persons with disabilities and care partners is a strength, not a weakness, nor a threat to professionalism.

It is time to emulate good practices elsewhere, to have disabled persons in decision-making roles as board members, policymakers and managers. We need to accept and support disabled persons with varied strengths, support needs and communication preferences in decision-making processes, not just those who speak well and/or have low support needs. This will be a challenge to everyone who is today non-disabled.

The media has a vital role in preventing and calling out ableist attitudes and behaviour. In breaking negative stereotyping. And, in sharing respectful, realistic and meaningful images and stories about persons with disabilities.

We call on Malaysian media practitioners to join in advocating for a disability-inclusive Malaysia where OKU rights matter. Guidance for the media can be found here: Disability Representation in the Media.

Inclusion in society is built on acceptance. It is nurtured by the principle of equal and full participation, in which all voices are heard and respected.

Our active involvement in the planning of strategies and policies that affect our lives as persons with disabilities and care partners will contribute to the development of a truly inclusive society, in which all voices are heard in shaping a stronger, more inclusive nation for all.

• Dr Amar-Singh HSS, person with dyslexia, child-disability activist, Advisor, National Early Childhood Intervention Council (NECIC)
• Sharifah Tahir, care partner, dementia advocate, and Founder of UniquelyMeInitiatives
• Yuenwah San, disability-ageing-gender activist, care partner, and Honorary Senior Advisor (Disability Inclusion), Social Development Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
• Dr Daniel Leong Han Ming, autistic self-activist, autistic peer group facilitator
• Ng Lai-Thin, care partner, and Project Lead, National Early Childhood Intervention Council
• Dr Anthony Chong, Deaf person, Deaf activist/researcher, founder of Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies (MyBIM) & Malaysian Deaf Advocate and Well-Being Organisation (DAWN)
• Mary Chen, care partner, Chairperson, Challenges Foundation
• Kaveinthran, Independent Disabled Human Rights Activist
• Meera Samanther, disability-gender activist, parent advocate, and Committee Member, Association of Women Lawyers (AWL)

Source: https://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/647772

BIM healthcare workshops

MyBIM was invited to collaborate with Monash University Malaysia and Malaysian Medics International (MMI) in reaching out wider healthcare personnels in the effort to expose them to Deaf persons and BIM. MyBIM conducted 6 workshops, once every month for the healthcare personnels on zoom meetings.

The workshops were designed to help healthcare professionals to better understand Deaf patients, pick up basic communication and treating them effectively. The sessions also include OSCE style teaching.

Ms Jessica was the program coordinators, working with MyBIM members, Ms Minori Loo and Ms Sariah Ibrahim. Both certificates (attendance and OSCE) have been presented to those participants who successfully complete the series of workshops on 25 November 2022. 

 

Leadership Among the Deaf Community

This workshop "Leadership Among the Deaf community" was organised by Sarawak Society for the Deaf for its members only. The workshop was held via Zoom Meeting. About 20 members attended this workshop. The purpose is to promote the understanding of the meaning of leadership.

Two BIM Poems ARE RELEASED!

We are pleased to release two BIM poems on 2 October 2022 to celebrate our BIM for the International Day of Sign Languages.

BIM Poetry “Tackle Communication Barrier” by Benny and Susie: https://youtu.be/xAOR76VzAYg

BIM Poetry “Breakthrough to BIM” by Wai Min and Amanda: https://youtu.be/mIyAtHJ7n9U

Awareness Workshop for Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS

This workshop was held by Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). This workshop was held through a zoom conference on 2 October 2022. Members of the MyBIM association, Mr Farhan Kamarzaman was  invited to provide awareness and knowledge about the Deaf community and BIM to university students. It was reported that approximately 30 university students attended this workshop.

Kursus Asas Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (KABIM) Tahap 1

Persatuan Orang Pekak Terengganu (POPT) telah menganjurkan Kursus Asas Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (KABIM) Tahap 1 dengan kerjasama Persatuan Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia dan Pengajian Pekak (MyBIM) dan Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Pengajar Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (NowBIM) di Dewan Serbaguna Perpustakaan Awam, Terengganu pada 5hb hingga 8hb September 2022.

 

Adanya lima orang tenaga pengajar BIM, iaitu, Victor Hii Lik Nguong dan Siti Aira Sharina Bt Meor Shamsuddin dari NowBIM, Lee Siow Hua dari MyBIM, Azizah Bt Md Yasin dan Nurul Nasirah Bt Shari dari POPT telah mengajar kursus tersebut kepada semua peserta.

 

38 peserta dari agensi jabatan kerajaan, iaitu, Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Terengganu, Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah Terengganu, Perpustakaan Awam Terengganu, Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan Negeri Terengganu, Polis DiRaja Malaysia Terengganu, dan beberapa individu yang telah menghadirkan kursus tersebut.

 

Kursus Asas Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia Tahap 1 selama 4 hari dilangsungkan dengan jayanya. Diharapi kursus ini dapat memberi pendedahkan kepada para peserta agar mereka dapat berkomunikasi dengan orang Pekak.

 

Syabas!!! Setinggi-tinggi tahniah telah diucapkan kepada pasukan tenaga pengajar BIM dan semua peserta!!!

Laporan oleh NowBIM

Source: FB Page NowBIM

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The Terengganu Association of Deaf People (POPT) organized the Malaysian Sign Language Basic Course (KABIM) Level 1 in collaboration with the Malaysian Association of Sign Language and Deaf Studies (MyBIM) and the National Association of Malaysian Sign Language Teachers (NowBIM) at the Multipurpose Hall of the Public Library, Terengganu on the 5th until 8th September 2022.

 

There are five BIM instructors, namely, Victor Hii Lik Nguong and Siti Aira Sharina Bt Meor Shamsuddin from NowBIM, Lee Siow Hua from MyBIM, Azizah Bt Md Yasin and Nurul Nasirah Bt Shari from POPT have taught the course to all participants.

 

38 participants from government agencies, namely, Terengganu Council of Islamic Religion and Malay Customs, Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, Terengganu Public Library, Terengganu State Road Transport Department, Terengganu Royal Malaysian Police, and several individuals who attended the course.

 

Malaysian Sign Language Basic Course Level 1 for 4 days was held successfully. It is hoped that this course can give exposure to the participants so that they can communicate with Deaf people.

 

Well done!!! Congratulations to the BIM teaching team and all the participants!!!

Reported by NowBIM

Gathering of the Great Minds (GOTGM)

University of Malaya Medical Society will be organizing Gathering of the Great Minds (GOTGM) 2022 with the aim of highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary teamwork in various fields of study, in conjunction with the medical field. The theme was "The Next Epoch: A Multidisciplinary Approach". The event was held physically in University of Malaya on 21 May 2022. Dr Anthony Chong was invited as one of the panel speakers in the morning. Ms Annie Ong conducted a workshop on BIM in the afternoon. 

Now You Can Hear Me.

The programme was organised by Universiti Malaysia Sabah which was scheduled to be held virtually on 21 May 2022. Dr Nur Farhana of the university and Mr Marzuki Ong of MyBIM were invited as a speaker and special guest respectively. They talked about the Deaf community, culture and BIM. Around 40 university students attended the event.

Show time: BIM Literature

Pelancaran 6 BIM poems yang dicipta oleh wanita Pekak selepas mereka tamat kursus BIM selama 5 bulan. Semua BIM poem ditunjukkan kepada para hadirin. Hasil kerja mereka boleh disaksikan pada YouTube pautan: http://mybimorg.blogspot.com/p/bim-sords.html
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The launch of 6 BIM poems created by Deaf women after they completed the 5-month BIM course. All BIM poems are shown to the audience. Their work can be seen on YouTube link: http://mybimorg.blogspot.com/p/bim-sords.html

Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia through Sign Poetry – Anthony Chong x Shane Gilchrist

Story by Anthony Chong and Shane Gilchrist

For many years, in spite of many Deaf associations established to promote Deaf well-being, Malaysian Deaf culture was not much promoted and nurtured. The slow progress in the Deaf community’s pride and confidence as a linguistic minority is due to a scarcity of resources, such as knowledge and technical skills i.e. Malaysian Deaf culture and Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) literature. 

There is no-one in Malaysia’s Deaf community who was experienced with BIM poems and collaborators Anthony Chong and Shane Gilchrist wanted to do something about it.

The project aims to empower Malaysian women Deaf community through poetry with the mentorship of well-known Northern Ireland-BSL poet, Paula Clarke, via Zoom meetings. This BIM poetry learning project participants were only made up of Deaf women and facilitated by women to promote women empowerment and provide a safe space for women to freely express themselves.

The remote online learning benefitted the Deaf participants, as it allowed a longer duration, i.e. 5 months to learn and practice in sign poetry and enabled them to keep in touch with Paula who is based in Belfast.

The project conducted a total of 21 sessions, each lasting 2 hours. The participants attended one or two sessions per week, based on the facilitators’ availability. They were guided by Paula to build their poetry signing skills with the support of two hearing poet-educators, Elaine Foster and Sheena Baharudin. Elaine taught the concept of poetry and faciliated the participants' experience of translating thoughts and feelings into the BIM language. Sheena shared with the participants how to convey Haiku using images through multimedia use.

As participants were briefed to design and develop poems of their own based on themes related to women’s issues, it was important to expose participants to signed poetry by Deaf women from other countries.Three UK guests were also invited to share their knowledge and experience with the participants. They were; Nadia Nadarajah, a famous poet & actress, Zoe McWhinney, a VV poet and Holly Lane, a diversity & inclusion manager. They were invited to discuss their work and the issues regarding women’s identities and language, amongst others. The former two guests spoke about techniques they used in their poem and visual vernacular work respectively, and Holly shared about Deaf women’s rights.

The participants' learning process were also guided by mentors and BIM experts Jessica Mak and Ho Koon Wei. Both were also instrumental in the participants' BIM poetry development. The mentors provided a supportive role throughout the programme, especially when participants struggled with their confidence as Deaf Malaysian women.

After 5 months of exchanges and development, the programme culminated with a showcase event on 26 February 2022. At the event, the participants proudly presented 6 new BIM poetry works, introducing melodiousness to the beautiful language of BIM, and becoming pioneer BIM.

poets, inspiring future generations of Deaf Malaysians.

Watch the full BIM Poetry showcase.

“The Emotions” by Qistina and Geja

“Solo Female Traveller” by Carmeela and Minori

“Neglected Women” by Jasmin and Aira

“Deaf Motherhood” by Geraldine and Annie

“Do Not Rape” by Ek Bin and Sey Gin

“Empower Women” by Loula, Annie and Haslita

Discover more Connections Through Culture collaborations here.

Check out the opportunities from British Council here.

Source: https://www.britishcouncil.my/empowering-deaf-women-malaysia-through-sign-poetry 

Let Your Hands Do The Talking

The programme was organised by SEGI Pharmacy Students' Association (SPSA) which was scheduled to be held on 27 February 2022 through Zoom Meeting. Mr Kevin Mak was the speaker. He talked about the Deaf community, culture and BIM. Around 40 university students attended the event. 

Release of BIM Poetry Show: Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia Through Sign Poetry

This is a British Council Connections Through Culture programme supported showcase of new poetry works by Malaysian Deaf women in English and Malaysian Sign Language (which is known as BIM). BIM is not just an acronym but an identity of the Deaf community. 

A virtual poetry event that celebrates Malaysian Deaf women’s poetry in their language was premiere this Saturday, 26 February 2022 at 8.30pm. Called Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia Through Sign Poetry. 

This Saturday’s show is the culmination of a five-months-long online collaboration, started in 2021 between Malaysians and British & Irish artists/educators. 13 Malaysian Deaf women took part in the training. British Council Malaysia


BIM poetry show by Malaysian Deaf Women https://youtu.be/Amrx1TUPn5c 

BIM Poetry “The Emotions” by Qistina and Geja https://youtu.be/g9hcQ7O10sc 

BIM Poetry “Solo Female Traveller” by Carmeela and Minori https://youtu.be/Xe1tiFpSFyE 

BIM Poetry “Neglected Women” by Jasmin and Aira https://youtu.be/1pwwCyd6SDk 

BIM Poetry “Deaf Motherhood” by Geraldine and Annie https://youtu.be/HxZJCmMebWo 

BIM Poetry “Do Not Rape” by Ek Bin and Sey Gin https://youtu.be/jeo1AGjBH6k 

BIM Poetry “Empower Women” by Annie, Loula and Haslita https://youtu.be/C-2ZLaRoABk

Razi: Malaysian Sign Language subject sets to pave the way for the deaf

Razi holds the BIM-English-Malay dictionary. – Photo by Galileo Petingi

KUCHING (Feb 21): Early childhood education institutions in Sarawak are encouraged to provide early exposure to sign languages and also for government to consider making Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) an elective subject in school.

These were among the issues raised during the ‘Deaf Empowerment Workshop 2022’ held at a hotel here from Feb 18 to 20, joined by 50 participants from over 20 associations and government agencies.

“It is one of the efforts to support the development of Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) in the state and the federal government, through Ministry of Education (MoE), has a special school in Jalan Matang here, teaching sign language,” said Assistant Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development II Mohammad Razi Sitam.

He also commended Dr Anthony Chong from Universiti Malaya, who is deaf, and his team for their effort and congratulated them for publishing the first complete sign language dictionary in the country.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Social Welfare Department director Noriah Ahmad said BIM has become the main focus as it is the way for the deaf community to communicate with others, and that they hope to have a minimal target of at least 50 per cent of students acquiring the skills of sign language.

Noriah Ahmad

“Targeted BIM course for specific groups such as healthcare workers has also been proposed,” she added.

She said Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah had made the call for early childhood education institutions to provide early exposure to sign languages during a workshop titled ‘Voices to be Heard’ held in September last year.

The Deaf Empowerment Workshop 2022 which ended yesterday witnessed 50 participants from over 20 associations and government agencies, including Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD), Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM) and Sarawak Deaf Youth Association (SWDY).

Borneo Post Online

BY GALILEO PETINGI ON FEBRUARY 21, 2022, MONDAY AT 8:01 AM

Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2022/02/21/razi-malaysian-sign-language-subject-sets-to-pave-the-way-for-the-deaf/

Enhancing communication with the deaf

KUCHING: Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) should be taught and exposed to every level of society to improve communications with the deaf and mute.

Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Assistant Minister II Mohammad Razi Sitam said that learning sign language should start from early childhood education.

“This should be taught to children as early as three years old, thus promoting the importance of BIM so that everyone can master the language in the future.

“When our people know sign language, relations with the deaf community can be strengthened as well as understanding each other through such communication,” Razi said.

He said this at a press conference after officiating at the closing ceremony of Deaf Empowerment Workshop 2022 at a hotel here on Sunday (Feb 20).

Some 50 representatives from over 20 associations and government agencies attended the three-day workshop, from Feb 18 to 20.

The participants were from Sarawak Deaf Sports Association (SSDeaf), Persatuan Seni dan Budaya Pekak Sarawak, Ministry of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development (KWKPK), Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association (MyBIM), Sarawak Deaf Youth Association (SWDY), Pusat Pemulihan Samarahan (PPS) as well as participants from outside Sarawak.

According to Sarawak Welfare Department (JKMS) director Noriah Ahmad, the workshop was aimed at empowering non-governmental organisations (NGO) and agencies to communicate effectively and efficiently especially when dealing with the deaf communities.

“We also empower agencies and NGOs involved to achieve their goals to reach out to these special people.

“That is why we emphasise on the use of BIM in our society. The deaf communities are not people with disabilities (PwD) but they have different ways to communicate using the sign language,” said Noriah.

She also suggested to have workshop sessions involving the media for them to learn BIM to better communicate and understand the deaf communities.

“We know BIM is the solution to solve communication problems with them. If we can interact using sign language, we become more understanding of each other,” she asserted.

Reported by Alverdtekoster Anyap

Published 20 February, 2022

Source: https://www.newsarawaktribune.com.my/enhancing-communication-with-the-deaf/

Deaf Empowerment Workshop

Bengkel Pemerkasaan Pekak yang dianjurkan oleh Persatuan Orang Pekak Sarawak pada 18-20 Februari 2022. Dr Anthony Chong dijemput untuk memberi ceramah tentang budaya dan identiti Pekak kepada orang Pekak yang tinggal di Sarawak dan juga beberapa orang yang bukan Pekak melibatkan diri mereka dalam pembangunan polisi khasnya untuk orang Pekak. Lebih kurang 50 orang hadir dalam bengkel itu.

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Deaf Empowerment Workshop organized by the Sarawak Society for the Deaf on 18-20 February 2022. Dr Anthony Chong was invited to give a talk about Deaf culture and identity to Deaf people living in Sarawak and also some non-Deaf people to involve themselves in the development of its special policy for Deaf people. About 50 people attended the workshop.

BIM Poetry: Empowering Deaf Women in Malaysia Through Sign Poetry

It is time now! Deaf women are ready to shake the world! Do not miss this opportunity. They will reveal their poetry work. It is important for the Deaf community in Malaysia. BIM poetry is part of our culture and identity. 

Date: 26 February 2022 Saturday (8.30pm - 10.30pm Malaysia time)

Surprise! 20 BIM Dictionary copies will be given away through a lucky draw! 

Registration is required: https://tinyurl.com/BIMpoetry   

This event is organised by MyBIM (Malaysian Sign Language and Deaf Studies Association) and supported by British Council. 

#BritishCouncilCTC #ConnectionsThroughCulture #CultureConnectsUs 

Grind Until The Signs Shines Workshop / Seminar

Bengkel ini diadakan oleh Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). Bengkel ini diadakah melalui persidangan zoom pada 26 Januari 2022. Ahli persatuan MyBIM, En Declan Lee dan En Kevin Mak dijemput untuk memberi kesedaran dan pengetahuan tentang komuniti Pekak dan BIM kepada pelajar-pelajar universiti. Dilaporkan bahawa lebih kurang 35 pelajar universiti hadir ke bengkel ini.

Pada 9 Februari 2022, Ms Lucy Lim dan Dr Anthony dijemput ke satu seminar yang diadakan oleh pihak yang sama untuk memberi ceramah lebih lanjut tentang komuniti Pekak dan perkhidmatan Jurubahasa BIM. Dilaporkan bahawa lebih kurang 50 pelajar universiti hadir ke seminar ini.

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This workshop was held by Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP). This workshop will be held through a zoom conference on 26 January 2022. Members of the MyBIM association, Mr Declan Lee and Mr Kevin Mak are invited to provide awareness and knowledge about the Deaf community and BIM to university students. It was reported that approximately 35 university students attended this workshop.

On 9 February 2022, Ms Lucy Lim and Dr Anthony were invited to a seminar held by the same party to talk more about the Deaf community and BIM Interpreter services. It was reported that approximately 50 university students attended this seminar.