Deaf advocate calls for greater access to education and interpreters

A disabilities advocate and vice-president of the Barbados Horizon Deaf Charity (BHDC), Scott Williams is calling for greater access to education for the deaf, including more interpreters and the introduction of deaf-led sign language instruction in schools.

Williams, who became deaf as a child, said his early exposure to sign language came from hearing individuals who, while well intentioned, did not fully understand the lived experiences of deaf people. As a result, he is advocating for more deaf educators to teach sign language.

“With a hearing person, who is teaching a language that is not theirs, how do you know when they are teaching sign language correctly? It is better for a deaf person to teach the language because deaf people, we know our own sign language,” Williams told Barbados TODAY, while stressing the importance of accuracy and cultural understanding.

He further explained that while learning from hearing people has its place, deaf people should be leading the instruction of their own language.

“We learn English from hearing people and that’s fine, it’s your language, just like with a deaf person their language is ASL. So yes, we should have ASL taught in schools, but it would be beautiful to have deaf teachers or deaf teacher’s assistants, having a deaf person there that can make sure the language is being taught correctly.”

Williams said his advocacy extends beyond children in classrooms, noting that access to education for deaf people at all stages of life remains limited in Barbados.

“Learn sign language. That is not the first time we have said that. Just learn the basics.”

He said people who find it difficult to learn sign language can also use gestures to communicate with the deaf.

“Some deaf people can read lips pretty well; some deaf people can talk. Just try to find ways to communicate. Move your hands, use gestures, like you would with a drinking cup or a bag, or telling someone to come here. It’s easy. It doesn’t have to be complicated…”

Willams explained that education is just one of several challenges facing the deaf community.

“Some of the biggest challenges that we face are communication, education, access to interpreters, employment, and finances,” he said.

“At BHDC we recognize they are some of the challenges the deaf community faces, so we are working together trying to create solutions. We don’t have government support yet, but we’re still figuring it out.”

He also sought to dispel common misconceptions about deaf and disabled people, saying stigma often prevents meaningful inclusion.

“Hearing people tend to view us as charity cases, ‘oh you poor thing.’ They perceive us as if we can’t do things. We can’t have quality access. We don’t need to have that because we’re deaf. It’s not only deaf people that face this, but I would also say it’s people with disabilities. We are one big family,” he said.

Williams appealed for broader support to help disabled people achieve their goals, particularly in employment and funding opportunities.

He said the lack of employment opportunities remains a pressing concern for the deaf community.

“If a person with a disability is looking for a job, give them a job. If they need funding, let’s support that. Whatever a deaf person or a person with a disability needs. If they have a dream, it should be supported. We don’t want any more discrimination.”

“There are a lot of deaf people in Barbados who really need access to jobs and right now we don’t have that,” Williams said.

louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb