More so those with disabilities like the deaf in society, who are often side-lined as they are perceived to be lacking the skills needed to help sustain a company’s productivity.
One social enterprise called RC Deaf Missions hopes to change this.
Co-founded by Agnes Peter and her brother Mario, they provide Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) courses, BIM corporate and school workshops, diploma in BIM interpreting and professional consultancy services for employers who want to hire the deaf.
“Our main goal is to provide an avenue for the deaf to be employed to enhance their livelihood,” Agnes told FMT Lifestyle recently.
“Our classes are attended by people from all walks of life, including those from the medical field, psychologists, working adults, even people who have deaf family members.”
Agnes stressed that there is an inherent need for these courses and workshops as many employers still believe deaf people are a liability to their organisation.
Among the more common misconceptions is that deaf employees don’t perform as well in a work setting. This results in deaf people often feeling lonely or alienated.
“Truth be told, I was biased towards them before as well, but now that I understand them better, I look at them through a different lens too.
“Most of those perceptions actually stem from ignorance, and the best way to combat them is through education,” Agnes said.
In addition to enhancing the livelihood of the deaf, the group also aims to broaden its outreach to the financially-strapped in the deaf community. It was for this purpose that Agnes started the “Signing Angels Fraternity” in 2017.
Now entering its fifth batch, the “angels” are trained to serve as “minor interpreters” for the poor.
The programme also includes workshops for the community on general health issues – Covid-19 and vaccines, mental health, obesity, weight management, and more.
Other than that, RC Deaf Missions also purchases crafts made by the deaf so they can earn a living.
During a recent visit to RC Deaf Missions’s office in Petaling Jaya, FMT Lifestyle was shown tote bags, t-shirts, crochet pouches, and scrunchies made by the deaf. Their latest venture is jewellery which is produced in-house.
Agnes said the idea to set-up RC Deaf Missions took root in the 1990’s when she belonged to a church support group working with disabled people. The deaf community was among them.
She said she was intrigued by sign language during a class conducted in collaboration with the Community Service Centre for the Deaf.
“I asked the centre’s late founder Mr Tan Yap, if there are so many, why don’t we see the deaf around? He said that’s because it’s an invisible disability, and you won’t know until you see them signing.
“That was a wake-up call for me and it changed my perspective, which led to about 16 years of service in a religious setting. Witnessing the challenges the deaf face first-hand led me and my brother to establish RC Deaf Missions in 2006.”
Long-time FMT Lifestyle readers might recall that RC Deaf Missions had a café a few years ago. Sadly, Agnes said the café was closed because of unresolved electrical issues.
However, the social enterprise’s F&B initiatives have continued as they still bake biscuits and other light bites for sale. Their most recent baking endeavour was over the Christmas and Chinese New Year festive seasons.
“In the future, we hope to find a new venue, not necessarily a café, but a spot for us to continue our baking efforts and even catering,” Agnes said with optimism.
Follow RC Deaf Missions on Facebook and Instagram; or visit their website for more information.