SIBU: More than 300 participants are expected to take part in the 1st Malaysia Deaf Summit 2025, said Women, Childhood and Community Well-being Development Deputy Minister, Datuk Mohamad Razi Sitam.
He said several papers would be presented during the three-day programme, to be held from September 26 to 28.
“Possible topics include ‘Employment Creation Solutions for Deaf People’, ‘Promoting Sign Language Rights and Strengthening the Deaf Community in Indonesia’, ‘Basis of Linguistics and Legal Transformation of Filipino Sign Language’, and ‘Sign Language Interpreting Services in Thailand: Roles, Challenges and Development Pathways for Deaf and Hearing Interpreters’,” he told a press conference here today.
Razi expressed hope that the summit, themed Inclusive ‘Futures: Advancing Access and Equity for Deaf Communities’, would serve as a platform to address pressing issues and explore opportunities for systemic reform.
“It is a crucial opportunity for researchers, advocates, educators, policymakers, and the deaf community to come together and discuss solutions that will pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future,” he said.
He pointed out that despite the existence of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, many challenges remain due to societal misconceptions about the capabilities of deaf individuals.
“Deaf Malaysians continue to face exclusion, not because of their abilities, but because of deeply embedded societal assumptions, stereotypes and rigid norms,” he said.
To address this, he said the ministry had introduced Malaysian Sign Language learning to children under its SEDIDIK initiative as part of the government’s inclusivity efforts.
“Playing our part as an inclusive society, our ministry, through the Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS), has provided monthly assistance to 14,675 persons with disabilities. Out of this number, 3,445 are gainfully employed across various sectors,” he added.
The summit is organised by the Deaf Advocacy and Wellbeing National Organisation (DAWN), in collaboration with the Sarawak Deaf Community Services Association, and supported by Business Events Sarawak.
For details, visit https://www.mydawn.org/summit2025/
