By CHIN MUI YOON

THE Deaf Festival II was held over the weekend at the International Medical University to promote deaf awareness and networking of institutions and organisations providing services to the deaf community.

National Unity and Social Development deputy chief secretary Arif Abu Bakar
launched the festival in the place of the Minister Datuk Dr Siti Zaharah Sulaiman.

The festival was organised by the YMCA Kuala Lumpur's Pusat Mujudiri Y for the Deaf and supported by the International Medical University and Sountex Malaysia.

There was an exhibition by the National Society for the Deaf, the Audiology and Speech Science Department, Kuala Lumpur Society of the Deaf, Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan Association of Interpreters for the Deaf and Malaysian Association of Speech Language and Hearing.

Hearing care professionals also demonstrated and sold hearing aids and devices while the deaf community sold handicraft and souvenirs.

An interesting part of the event was a special simulated environment Journey into the Deaf World that allowed visitors to experience the feeling of being deaf.

"An event such as this is an excellent opportunity for the public to interact with the deaf," said YMCA Kuala Lumpur president Reverend Ng Ee Lin.

"This festival is part of the YMCA's Deaf Awareness week that started in 1986.

"The word 'deaf' may seem politically incorrect to many, but I think using the word will help us recognise these people for what they are, be sensitive to their needs and find ways and means to help them.

"It isn't any use using politically correct terms like 'hearing impaired' when we have not changed our attitude toward them. We need to accept them for who and what they are. Help them to help themselves so that they can achieve their full potential and become contributing members of society."

The YMCA Deaf Club started as a youth centre in 1973 while Pusat Majudiri Y for the Deaf was set up in 1985. The club has carried out major events for the deaf such as Inter Deaf Games, exchange programmes with other Deaf Clubs; expeditions up Mount Kinabalu, Deaf Leadership Training, Special Youth Camps for People with Disabilities and special trips for deaf youth to China and Indonesia. It also published the first sign language book in Malaysia.

In July, the club notched the first Malaysian organisation to organise a diving trip for the deaf to Tioman Island. Eleven members were certified as divers.

For more information, call the YMCA at 03-2274 1439 or email ymcakl@ymcakl.com

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