2024, 2:30pm
The grand Kailash Hall of the Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha was home to a program that perhaps could be called the first of its kind in our capital city. Researched, designed and facilitated by myself with invaluable support from dear Deaf friend and colleague, the knowledgeable, committed and proactive Balaram Karki, the entire seminar was an effort to project the Deaf as a Linguistic and Cultural Minority with tremendous potential to contribute meaningfully in the workforce.
The event had an audience of top management from Everest Bank, Nepal Investment Mega Bank, Nepal State Bank, Global-IME Bank, Buddha Air, BhatBhateni Supermarket, Sales Berry Supermarket, SD Foods, Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management, Hotel Lemon Tree Premier, The Aloft Marriott Hotel, the Metropolitan Police, the Bakery Café, Maya Animation Academy along with senior representation from international hospitals like Medicit, Grande and HAMS. And of course, the presence of leading members from the Rotary and Lions Clubs, St. Mary’s School, Budhanilkantha School and reputable social service organizations like ASMAN, Inner Wheel, Cochino Mitho Chha and Maya Mamta Foundation gave fresh energy to the afternoon.
But the most important guests were the 25 Deaf young men and women, vibrant, all honored with a welcome red scarf and offered seats in a dedicated space commanding full view of the stage and entire hall!
Coming under KUSOED’s academic initiative to support Special Needs Education, the event was generously hosted by Park Village Resort and the Kathmandu Guest House Foundation. The Kathmandu University School of Education had a strong presence with Mr. Shivanath Mainali, the KUSOED HR and Admin Head along with several senior academic leaders.
While I, Sarah, directly addressed the Hearing audience in English and Nepali, what was the arrangement for the Deaf invitees? The use of an interpreter? No. There was something entirely different at this event.
Balaram Karki, had full access to the visuals being used for the Hearing. Next, he directly addressed the Deaf in Sign Language, using an extra-large TV screen next to him for the power-points and videos. So instead of receiving information from a Hearing interpreter, the Deaf audience was thrilled to ‘listen’ directly to a Deaf public speaker. With the entire presentation being in sync with what was being shared with the Hearing crowd. This method had a message: the Deaf are empowered, to present, on par with a Hearing speaker in the presence of a Hearing audience!
After an eloquent and graphic narration of Deaf Art, Culture and history of Sign Language, organizations with a track record of training and employing the Deaf were given certificates of recognition by KUSOED.
But there was more. An expansive exhibition of Deaf Art awaited all the special invitees at the Nagarjun Hall on the second floor. Along with the Deaf Art, though, there were on display export quality soft toys and linen with block prints. All done by Deaf artisans who proudly stood by their creations.
Finally, everyone was hungry! And a literally sumptuous high tea spread was there, waiting to be enjoyed alongside stimulating conversations and happy networking.
I am deeply thankful and appreciative of this exceptionally generous hospitality on the part of Park Village Resort and Kathmandu Guest House Foundation.
What is the feedback from the distinguished guests? Any action plans to implement the learning? The Banks, Hospitals, Hotels and the big time Retail organizations say they felt enlightened and now they are seriously preparing to conscientiously make their respective workplaces ‘Deaf Inclusive’. For instance, the Maya Animation Academy is committed to make CGI learning available for Deaf students. Founder Mr. Indra Balami has begun serious dialogues to this effect.
After the upcoming Dashain and Tihar vacation, Balaram Karki and I have invitations lined up to consult with and give practical assistance to HR teams from various organizations. All focused on becoming more ‘Deaf Inclusive’. In fact, training for groups of Deaf youth has already begun, imparting education about work ethics and widening knowledge horizons with an understanding of and improving IQs, EQs and SQs.
Yes, September 5th, 2024 was a discovery for many. A discovery of a culture, the Deaf Culture, with great Abilities! All happening under Inclusion of Disabilities.
