Full integration of Persons with hearing impairment(deaf)is not charity but human rights issue that promotes equity
It was more than just another event; it was a gathering that breathed life into the vision of a truly inclusive society. The Centre for Disability and Inclusion Africa’s ‘Deaf Community Inclusion, Stakeholders Perspective’ event opened reaffirmed its mission to champion disability rights and create spaces where everyone belongs. The day, September 24, 2025, was not only about knowledge sharing but also about bridging divides, building empathy, and sparking a movement toward equal opportunities for persons with hearing disabilities.
The program unfolded like a tapestry of voices, signs, and shared experiences. Educational sessions set the stage, equipping participants with how technology, knowledge of Sign language and practical ways to make schools, workplaces, public spaces more accessible and how the society in general can be totally inclusive without leaving anyone behind. For a few of the participants the event was their first encounter with deaf culture which offered them advance to listen, learn, and unlearn misconceptions that often fuel exclusion.
In his welcome address, the Executive director, Yinka Olaito challenged the participant to place value on every human being irrespective of the body structure or disability status. “At the end, we are all human and no human being should be discriminated against as the fundamental human rights of every human being has no double face” Yinka Olaito said.
The first knowledge sharing session with the topic “Bridging the digital divide’ by Dr Arowolo Ayoola, Executive Director of deaf-in-tech, a social enterprise pushing for deaf inclusion through tech. Dr Arowolo began by sharing a deep African proverb “When the drum beats only for the chief, the village forgets how to dance” as a foundation for his speech. According to him the society has and continued to fence out deaf community, albeit advertently or otherwise, as its seems to have forgotten language and communication is a fundamental right of every human which must be given attention.
According to Dr Arowolo ““The digital world, like the drum, was meant to unify, to set a rhythm that we all can move to. “Persons with disabilities, especially in Africa, often stand at the edge of the circle, watching others dance to a rhythm they cannot hear, access, or afford.” “This is not because they lack potential, it is because the system was never designed with them in mind.” “And that is what we call the digital divide.”
The lopsidedness and injustice towards the deaf community must be addressed and that is why advocacy program and event like this must be stepped up.
Among other thought-provoking issues raised by dr Arowolo Ayoola is ““When policies and technologies ignore diversity, they are not neutral, the designer has taken a side that oppresses the left out.”
But perhaps the most moving moments came from personal experience sharing of a member of the deaf community, Femi Adeosun, A deaf professional building career in Information communication technology as well as deaf inclusion advocate, Femi Adeosun maintained and challenged participants that the subject of deaf community inclusion audience, not as subjects of pity, but as deserved human right equity.
Femi Adeosun
Femi also shared that majority of the deaf community members are resilient individuals with powerful whom through systemic barriers had become incapacitated. He drew examples of such barriers from inaccessible classrooms which are without interpreters, job interviews without accommodation, public services designed without accessibility in mind. Femi said “We must commend organization such as Centre for Disability and inclusion Africa with this inclusion drive for deaf community but that the journey is still far”
Treasures Uchegbu of SpeakingFingers Network on the other hand as speaker shared encouraging testimonies on the triumphs her organization had made made possible through advocacy and solidarity as well as their yearly Deaf National Boot camp the organization organized yearly. “We have seen great changes in deaf community integration through our effort as we build bridges as well as empowered deaf community including Children of Deaf Adult (CODA)”
Treasures Uchegbu
The event also welcomed participants opinion which include educators, policymakers, and advocates who shed light on practical frameworks and best practices for advancing inclusion. Their contributions provided the audience with tools and strategies, grounding lofty ideals in actionable steps. Interactive activities added vibrancy to the program, breaking down communication walls and inviting participants into the lived realities of the deaf community.
By the close of the day, the room carried a new energy a sense of shared responsibility. Participants left with strengthened understanding, heightened respect for sign language, and a commitment to carry forward inclusive practices. Local stakeholders pledged to integrate these lessons into schools, workplaces, and public service delivery.
The Centre for Disability and inclusion Africa program lead, Busola Oladotun, did not forget to charge participants to pass the torchlight of the knowledge gained form this Disability Rights Webinar Series by the centre as she officially closed the program
In the end, the Deaf Awareness and Community Inclusion Event was not just about recognizing the existence of barriers, it was about challenging them. It reminded everyone present that inclusion is not passive; it demands deliberate, collective effort. And as participants departed, the message was clear: persons with hearing disabilities do not need sympathy they need equal opportunities to thrive, and it is up to society to make that possible.
