Unisa event celebrates and promotes Deaf Awareness Month

On 30 September 2024, Unisa’s Gauteng Region hosted a hybrid event at the Florida Campus and online via Microsoft Teams to celebrate Deaf Awareness Month. Organised by the Florida Counselling Unit in partnership with the Advocacy and Resource Centre for Students with Disabilities (ARCSWiD) and the College of Education (CEDU), the event was the first of its kind and focused on the resilience of deaf students. It aimed to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of the deaf community within Unisa.

Students arriving for hearing tests

The event began with a warm welcome from Dr Bunki Pitsoane, Head of Student Counselling and Career Development, who set the purpose of the day: to celebrate the strength of deaf students while raising awareness of the unique challenges they face. Pitsoane emphasised the need for greater support to foster an inclusive environment at Unisa.

One of the key segments was a presentation by Fhatuwani Makahane, a Student Counsellor, who discussed mental health and well-being in the deaf community. He explored the unique mental health challenges that deaf students encounter and provided insights into how tailored support services can help these students thrive academically and personally.

Unisa student Zamile Mafuna shared her experiences studying at the university as a deaf student, providing a firsthand account of the barriers she has faced and offering suggestions on how the institution can improve resources and communication to support deaf learners more effectively. Professor Dikeledi Mahlo from CEDU then presented strategies for improving the resilience and retention of students with disabilities (SwD) at Unisa. Her talk emphasised the importance of promoting an inclusive learning environment that engages and supports students from all backgrounds. Dr Tony Matjila followed with a discussion on the accessibility of university resources for deaf students. He highlighted available tools, such as South African Sign Language (SASL) interpreters, specialised counselling services, and accessible library resources, all of which aim to ensure deaf students can fully participate in their academic journey.

In a particularly engaging session, alumnus Ananias Mashila addressed the concerns deaf students face when transitioning from Unisa to the workforce. Mashila called for more robust career support services tailored to the needs of deaf graduates to help ease this transition and foster professional success. Sophy Mabasa, sign language interpreter from ARCSWiD, concluded the presentations with an insightful discussion on the importance of learning sign language as a key element in fostering inclusivity and bridging communication gaps between deaf and hearing individuals.

Deaf and hearing students compete in the chess tournament

The event also featured interactive activities such as deaf awareness testing and games, including a chess challenge between deaf and hearing students, aimed at encouraging communication and understanding between the two communities. Bheki Nxumalo, Deputy Director of ARCSWiD, wrapped up the day with a heartfelt vote of thanks, expressing his gratitude to the participants and emphasising the hope of making this event an annual tradition at Unisa. "This event is about more than just words; it's about actions that lead to lasting change and inclusivity for our deaf students", he said.

Overall, the event was a resounding success, offering participants practical tools to enhance communication and interaction with deaf individuals, and marking Unisa’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, supportive environment for all its students.

* By Thembeka Mpapama, Manager: Communication and Marketing, and Gloria Sephula, Administrative Officer, Gauteng Region, with input from Claude