September is the International Month for Deaf People in commemoration of the first World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf which took place in September 1951.
The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) and the South African National Deaf Association (SANDA) both promote awareness of the rights of Deaf persons in South Africa.
According to DeafSA, the theme of the 2020 National Month of the Deaf will be Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights. This year, they want all stakeholders and affiliates to unite in endorsement of the need to secure and promote the human rights of Deaf people!
Reaffirming Deaf People’s Human Rights – recognising the right of Deaf people to use SASL (South African Sign Language) to ensure the fulfilment of human rights, which are civil (right to life), political (right to participate in society), economic (right to work), social (right to be educated), cultural (right to belong to a cultural minority and to use sign languages) and collective (right to development and self-determination) with the leading principles of equality and non-discrimination.
As an advocacy organisation, SANDA is at the forefront in promoting and advancing the rights of Deaf people at all levels of society. SANDA’s mission is to serve as an innovative, responsive and dynamic developmental Deaf organisation that consistently ensures the protection and promotion of the rights, needs and concerns of Deaf people in South Africa.
SANDA is dedicated to providing quality services, ensuring public accessibility and increasing awareness of issues affecting Deaf people at all levels in South Africa. SANDA was founded at an important moment in the history of South Africa, namely, the coming into being of a decade of a democratic dispensation – ten years of post-apartheid government.
SANDA is known for and steadfast in:
• Placing Deaf empowerment and self-representation at the heart of inclusive development.
• Developing, advancing and promoting the status of South African Sign Language.
• Cherishing the nurturing of talent and potential of Deaf people to succeed.
• Developing Deaf community assets
According to SANDA, it is advisable that children should have their hearing tested several times throughout their schooling:
• When they enter school • At ages 6, 8, and 10,
• At least once during middle school
• At least once during high school.
For more information visit www.sanda.org.za or follow @DeafSA on Facebook.