In an effort to establish the Bhutan Deaf Organisation, the deaf community signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan in Paro yesterday. According to the MoU, once the Bhutan Deaf Organisation is formed, it will function under Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan, promoting sign languages and enabling inclusive decision-making for deaf individuals.
According to the MoU, the Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan will provide financial and administrative assistance to deaf community.
The MoU was signed for a period of five years.
According to deaf community, this initiative will help improve the welfare of the community and enable inclusive decision-making for deaf individuals.
Yeshi Gyeltshen who is hard of hearing and a teacher at Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Paro said “Without an organisation at present, deaf people face certain challenges. To name some of the challenges, our voices couldn’t be reached to relevant stakeholders who make decision. This organisation will gradually help reach our voice on our rights, to be heard by the society for inclusivity and accessibility.”
Dorji Zangmo, Programme Officer, Disabled People’s Organisation of Bhutan said “As an organisation when all deaf people come together and work for each other, it will empower us. Moreover, we will be able to connect to World Federation of Deaf which is the highest body of the deaf and for collaboration.”
Sushila Gurung, who is also a teacher at Wangsel Institute for the Deaf said “This MoU will have lots of benefits. When we are to connect with the World Federation of the Deaf, I think it is a must that we have our country’s deaf organisation. Then, we can connect with the World Federation of the Deaf, which will benefit the deaf people in terms of advocacy, rights, attending conferences and meetings among others which will empower the deaf community.”
Officials said signing the MoU is the first step towards the formation of the Bhutan Deaf Organisation.
For now, Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Paro is a leading institution in the country that focuses on education of deaf students. The school is observing the International Week of the Deaf, this week.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Tshering Zam
