Emirati sign language promoted

The Emirati sign langauge is being used by the deaf to communicate, but the language is in its infancy and needs a database (of signs), said a campaigner.

Bedour Al Raqbani, founder of Kalimati, a speech and communication centre, is promoting the Emirati sign language and encourages everyone to learn it and has involved international support for this initiative. (Kalimati means “My Words” in Arabic).

Her campaign also pulled in Emirati singer Hussain Al Jassmi, the UN Ambassador at Large for the Arab and Gulf region. A truck went on a road show through four emirates promoting the Emirati sign language.

“People with hearing disabilities have a hard time communicating with those with normal hearing because very few people know or learn sign language”, she said. “Without communicating, one cannot be part of the society.

Bedour said many deaf people are excluded from society when they should have equal rights as those without this “minimal disability”.