Malaysia's First Sign Language Resource Centre And Lab Set To Benefit Both Deaf and Hearing Community

As a step towards improving its services and commitment to the Community, Majudiri Y Foundation for the Deaf together with HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad, are proud to establish the first Sign language Resource Centre and Lab in Malaysia specializing in the teaching of Sign Language proficiency and training of Sign Language Interpreters.

Set up to provide educators, research teams, parents of Deaf children and students undergoing Sign language courses to develop their understanding about Deafness, Deaf community and also useful resources in the form of books, the centre is fully equipped with videotapes on Sign Language Literature and lab equipment for these students to practice and enhance their skills.

According to Dr P.O Thomas, Trustee of Majudiri Y Foundation for the Deaf and Vice President of Kuala Lumpur YMCA, the Resource Centre is designed especially for those who are learning Sign language and also those who are interested in a career in Sign language interpreting.

"The Sign Language Resource Centre and Lab would not have been possible without the support of HSBC. With the financial aid provided we now have a centre that comprise of 4 Individual Work stations, each one fully equipped with a television, two VHS player/recorder, one webcam, one microphone and a mixer for picture in picture content", said Dr. Thomas.

He added that as Sign Language is a visual language, the video/ VCD forms the bulk of their "books" rather than textbooks. By learning & watching via videotape or VCD, the students can pause the sessions on TV and re-start the video/ VCD until they understand the content of the signing passage thus making learning more effective.

"HSBC is very proud to be a part of this milestone. Education has always been a key focus of our Corporate Social Responsibility and this is a further extension of our investment in this key area. We hope that with the centre in place both the Deaf and the community around them will benefit from not only in the area of learning but also in research,"- said Mr. John Coverdale, Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive of HSBC.

Coverdale further mentioned that as part of their long-term commitment, HSBC will also be providing an annual grant to Majudiri Y Foundation for the Deaf to assist in the running of the Centre and Lab as well as in the Sign Language research work.

The Resource Centre and Lab also aims to produce qualified interpreters in Malaysia to meet the needs of the deaf community. A 'Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia' (Malaysian Sign Language) Research and Development programme will also be establish to work towards an accepted and common sign language for the Deaf.

Members of the public, educators and parents will also have the opportunity to use the equipment in the Resource Centre to enhance their learning.

Sign Language courses were first introduced at the Kuala Lumpur YMCA since 1973 when the Association opened it's doors to the Deaf community. The aim then was to encourage family members, educators and members of the public to learn how to sign in order to communicate with the Deaf. Today, the courses currently carried out by the Majudiri Y Foundation for the Deaf have expanded to include Basic level, Level One, Two and Three leading to a Diploma Programme in Sign Language Interpreting Programme.