Coleiro Preca – Time for the deaf community to be given its due importance

The Minister for Family and Social Solidarity, Dr Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, said this morning that it is time for measures to be taken in order to help members of the deaf community fully integrate into society.

"We are well aware that, in the past, the deaf community, and its people, has not been given the attention they deserve.  We are intent on changing that," Coleiro Preca said.

The Minister was speaking at a Seminar on Deaf Awareness, which was organized by the Deaf People Association (DPA), and held at the Intercontinental Hotel in St Julians this morning.

"We want our society to be accessible and open for all and we believe that the deaf community, and the disability sector in general, deserves our full encouragement and support."

She said that, whereas in the past helping such minorities was seen as something charitable, the focus now was to decide on and implement grass-root measures, such as increasing the number of interpreters and making sure that television subtitles were more present.

Coleiro Preca, who began her speech by successfully greeting the audience in sign-language, stressed that it was imperative that the government worked hand in hand with the DPA to achieve such goals.

"Government is committed to the needs of the deaf community and we promise our support.  However, social policy is all about working together and this is why we need you (the deaf community,) as the experts in the field, to contribute your ideas. We are confident that by joining forces, results will soon start to show."

Hon. Roberta Metsola Tedesco Triccas, who spoke after the Minister also said that she was fully committed to the cause and said that it was a shame that there were only three full-time sign-language interpreters in Malta. In her opinion, that number needed to be doubled at the very least.

Opposition leader Simon Busutill, who spoke via video stated that praise the deaf community for their "huge courage, ambition and drive" whilst also expressing the PN's support for the community's cause.

Steven Mulvaney, the President of the Deaf People's Association, explained through sign-language and the help of an interpreter, how there are many different types of deaf people and that all these may require different needs.

"Deaf people are not all the same. Some are born deaf whilst others become deaf through illness or because of an accident.  Furthermore, some people are profoundly deaf, whilst others may be partially so. As a result, communication methods may vary whether it is sign language, common signage, lip-reading or simple writing," he said.

Mulvaney stressed that, contrary to popular belief, deaf people were not all that different from people who could hear.

"I drive a car, a motorcycle and a boat whilst also enjoying the beat of music as much as the next guy," he said.

However, he admitted that there were many restrictions too.

"Since many of us use sign-language, we need a lot of space. In fact, the first thing I did before standing up to deliver this conference was to take my jacket off, as it restricts me from fully expressing myself," he said.

"We tap the table to say 'buon appetite' and stamp our feet to attract the attention of someone in the next room, hoping that the vibrations are felt," he added.

Anna and Spiridione Zahra, who attended the conference and are parents to a 22-year partially deaf son, said that the conference was well-delivered and informative.  For them, the most important thing was the initial adaptation of their son's disability.

"We have learned to adapt to his needs. These are things which you quickly get used to, especially if you live with the person."

Steven Mulvaney concluded that the most important thing was for people to make themselves awareness on the deaf culture, adding that it will also help them when interacting with deaf people.

"Many people are unsure at how to act in the presence of a deaf person. We encourage the public to come to the Deaf Club to learn a bit more about our culture," he said.

The public is welcome to visit the Deaf Club at Lascaris Wharf, Valletta every Friday from 8.00am onwards.

The DPA will also have a stand at the Notte Bianca festival tonight, which will be set up close to Castille Palace.