Inspirasyon para sa mga next generation advocate ng Deaf community ang ibinahagi ni Maria Isabel A. Cabbab, SPED teacher ng Philippine School for the Deaf, sa kanyang adbokasiyang Filipino Sign Language (FSL) at Sign Zones para sa mga Deaf sa pagdiriwang ng 2023 National Deaf Awareness Week (NDAW).

Sa kanyang apat na taong paglilingkod bilang guro para sa Deaf community, binigyang-diin niya ang full implementation ng FSL sa Deaf at Hard of hearing schools, at SPED centers. Bukod pa rito, hangarin niyang magkaroon ng Sign Zones sa mga eskuwelahan at workplace.

Ang Sign Zone ay isang komunidad na kung saan nagkakaroon ng unawaan at walang hadlang ang komunikasyon sa pagitan ng hearing at Deaf people.

“With these Sign Zones, the Hearing people, not only the Deaf community, will know how to sign to help the younger generation of Deaf people be exposed to different learnings in their environment. If hearing children can learn different kinds of words through hearing and speaking, Deaf children can also learn all sorts of things and broaden their learnings through Sign Zones,” ani Teacher Isabel.

Naging motibasyon ng guro sa kanyang adbokasiya ang hinarap niyang hamon sa reading at writing skills noong bata pa siya nang mahirapan siyang umintindi ng sign language na ginagamit sa pagtuturo ng mga guro sa iba’t ibang asignatura bukod pa sa kanyang orihinal na alam.

“That (motivation) brought me into self-studying. I have persevered, practiced, and trained to compensate with my shortcomings. I envision hearing people to learn Filipino Sign Language, our culture, and be enlightened on the way we communicate to create a safe and inclusive environment for our Deaf community,” wika ni Teacher Isabel.

Ibinahagi naman ni Teacher Isabel ang mensahe niya para sa mga hearing parents at guardians ng Deaf children.

“Let us collaborate and work hand-in-hand in raising awareness about the Deaf community, sign language, culture and identity for we are not only raising deaf children but also we might be raising the next doctor, teacher, policeman, or any other inspirational professions they want to become with your patience, support and love.”

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