Ensuring deaf people have equal access to opportunities

Deaf students in a class at the Deaf Development Program center
A deaf student does basic mathematics

June 18, 2009

PHNOM PENH (UCAN) -- Before he started attending a special center for young deaf people in Phnom Penh, Vong Chhoeun could not read nor do sums.

Now not only can the 28-year-old do all that, he is also a class monitor at the Basic Education Project for the Deaf Development Program (DDP), run by the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, also known as Maryknoll.

"Since I started studying here, I've gained more knowledge and can read and do mathematics," he said in sign language.

Another student, a 19-year-old girl, said she has also made many friends at the center. She adds that she is focusing on gaining a general basic education before choosing to train in a specific skill.

The education project, first set up in 2004 for young deaf adults, has three centers in Cambodia -- Phnom Penh, Kompot and Kompong Chhang provinces.

Of the present 77 students enrolled, 35 are in Phnom Penh and are aged 16-35. To enroll in the DDP program, students must be at least 16 years old.

The two-year program is for young deaf people who have never been to school. It teaches sign language, Khmer literacy, simple math, and basic life skills.

"We want to give deaf people the opportunity to live as equals in society," said Maryknoll Father Dittmeier, 65, project director. "This is not the case at the moment. We see them living lives separate from able-bodied people. They live together but do not interact."

Father Dittmeier stressed that "it's important that the deaf have equal rights."

"They must have a good education, health care, legal protection and be able to avail themselves of all services," he said.

Keat Sokly, program manager, agrees, saying the biggest challenge is changing the attitude of parents of the deaf, who believe their children are only good for doing housework or farming. If these children have access to education, Sokly insists, they stand a much better chance of getting a good job and enjoying a good quality of life, just like other people.

Din Piseth, 37, who teaches Chhoeun and Monita believes this too. He said he has to be patient when teaching the deaf as they need more encouragement than others. But the former public school teacher perseveres because he feels the deaf have the right to an education and occupation.

Although the Basic Education Project is only for two years, Father Dittmeier said that after graduating, students can go on to Maryknoll partner organizations and local NGOs to acquire more specific skills, such as in hair-dressing, motor mechanics, sewing and sculpting.

Furthermore the DDP also trains teachers as translators for the deaf, and conducts research into sign language and social services for deaf people. There are currently 33 people working at DDP offices.

In Cambodia, there are an estimated 5,100 deaf people. The Maryknoll's DPP program has so far educated 300 of them.