Sunyi di tengah dunia yang bising

Wan Zuraidah Abu, a sign language interpreter, realized the accessibility gap in information dissemination during her time accompanying a group of visually impaired athletes at Hentian Puduraya. She often noticed that audio announcements, like the one informing them that the bus platform had been changed, were not accessible to the visually impaired.

Wan Zuraidah shared this experience with FMT, stating, "I told them, the platform for the bus change is there, you should go check." The visually impaired group asked how she knew, and she replied that she communicates through sign language and they already understand because they use sign language with her. Wan Zuraidah devoted her life to serving the visually impaired for nearly three decades after working at a school for blind children.

She spends an entire hour after work learning sign language every day. For Wan, the challenge visually impaired people face is not hearing but the communication gap in their surroundings. She believes that sharing the information we hear with them would be beneficial as they also have the right to know what is happening around them.

According to the Department of Social Welfare, as of May 31, 2025, a total of 48,382 individuals were registered under the visually impaired category. The Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD) believes the actual number is higher due to many unregistered individuals, including those who are unaware of their category and face societal stigma.

MFD Executive Director Mohamad Sazali Shaari explained to FMT that the term "deaf" refers to someone who cannot hear well or at all, not a negative term. The real change needed is in how society perceives the visually impaired. Society should have the understanding and acceptance of the visually impaired's needs, which is just about having a different way of communicating.

MFD plans to hold a large-scale International Deaf Week event on September 26 at IWK Eco Park, Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. The event will feature 50 deaf ambassadors, product showcases, sign language classes, counseling services for parents, and various interactive activities to help the general public understand the community's life.

This event aims to promote the visually impaired community and give people a chance to see their capabilities when given appropriate opportunities and support, says Wan Zuraidah.