20 Mar 2017

Illiteracy among people with hearing impairment negatively impacts upon their livelihoods in many ways than one.

Community development officer for Okavango Sub-district, Ms Pinkie Mothibedi said during a workshop in Kanye recently whose objective was to teach people with hearing impairment sign language, social skills, reading and writing, they face a lot of challenges, since they were never taught basic life skills; something she said made them to be vulnerable and exposed to risks.

Ms Mothibedi said for instance illiteracy among the people with hearing impairment led many of them not taking medication as per doctor’s prescription and not being able to find employment to better their lives.

Meanwhile, Mr Christopher Mbochwa, who is impaired called on general society to accord respect to people with hearing impairment at all times.

He stated that other than their physical challenge, people with hearing impairment also deserve to be treated with absolute dignity.

Mr Mbocha also urged families to desist from hiding family members with hearing impairment, but to embrace and provide necessary support for them to thrive.

The workshop also took on board people who could hear and talk as a way of creating the much needed synergy between the two groups. ENDS