Empowering Deaf Identity through BIM in Penang
The Penang YMCA organised a workshop on 22 July 2017 to support and engage the Deaf community in Penang. Ms. Jessica Mak led the session as the workshop speaker, aiming to enlighten attendees about BIM and its role within the Deaf community. The purpose of the workshop was to deepen participants’ understanding of BIM, fostering a sense of pride and cultural identity through greater knowledge of their own language.
The workshop was well-received, with a reported attendance of 30 Deaf individuals. This event provided a valuable opportunity for community members to connect with each other, enhancing awareness and appreciation for BIM as an integral part of Deaf heritage in Malaysia.
Language Transition Dilemma: Session with School Deaf Teachers
A session was held on 18 August 2018 with school Deaf teachers at MFD (Malaysian Federation of the Deaf) premise to address the language transition dilemma in the education of Deaf children in Malaysia. The session highlighted that if Deaf children received early education in BIM as their first language, they would find it easier to master written language as a second language. However, in special education settings, Deaf children are introduced to Manually Coded Malay (KTBM), which differs from BIM, leading to confusion and communication conflicts between Deaf students and teachers using KTBM.
During the session, representatives from the MyBIM, including Anthony Chong and Ho Koon Wei, along with MFD members, proposed enhancements to the special education system. They emphasised that BIM, as the official sign language recognised under the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008, should be integrated into all formal education for Deaf children.
Strengthening BIM Teaching: A Two-Day Workshop for Instructors Across Malaysia
Yayasan Majudiri Y, in collaboration with YMCA Kuala Lumpur, organised a two-day BIM Instructor Training Workshop on 23–24 February 2019. The workshop aimed to strengthen the skills and knowledge of 24 BIM instructors from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Sarawak, and Sabah. Jessica and Koon Wei, both esteemed members of the MyBIM Committee, were invited as trainers to guide the participants in refining their instructional techniques and deepening their understanding of BIM.
The instructors showed remarkable commitment and enthusiasm, embracing the opportunity to enhance their abilities, despite varying levels of prior experience with BIM and teaching. This workshop provided a supportive environment for participants to build their confidence, exchange teaching strategies, and network with fellow instructors from different regions. The event underscored a shared dedication to advancing BIM education, equipping instructors with the foundational tools to foster linguistic and cultural pride within the Deaf community.
Empowering Deaf Identity and Language through SELDYA Workshops on BIM and Deaf Culture
The Selangor Deaf Youth Association (SELDYA) organised workshops in 2019 to deepen members’ understanding of BIM linguistics and Deaf culture, with each session attended by a different group of 20 participants.
The first workshop, held on 17 March 2019 and led by Ms. Jessica Mak, focused on Deaf culture in Malaysia. Participants explored aspects of Deaf identity, fostering a stronger sense of pride and community. In the second workshop on 31 March 2019, Ms. Ho Koon Wei delivered a lecture on BIM grammar, empowering another group of participants with greater linguistic knowledge and proficiency in their own language.
Outcomes of these workshops included enhanced language skills, a stronger cultural identity, and increased self-advocacy. Participants left with a deeper understanding of both BIM and Deaf culture, reinforcing their pride as Deaf individuals. Additionally, the workshops fostered community support and unity within SELDYA, enabling each participant to connect with peers and gain valuable insights into the diversity within the Deaf community.
Through this initiative, SELDYA encouraged participants to become ambassadors of their language and culture, contributing to the preservation and growth of both BIM and Deaf heritage in Malaysia.
Empowering the Deaf Community: Contributions to the Sarawak Society for the Deaf
Over the years, Dr. Anthony Chong has significantly contributed to the Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD) through empowering workshops and talks, promoting understanding of Deaf culture, identity, and leadership within the community.
On 22 November 2020, Dr. Chong, together with Mr. Kevin Mak, conducted an online workshop via Zoom. This session, attended by approximately 20 Deaf participants who were SSD members, focused on Deaf culture and the steps needed to establish a strong Deaf identity. The session emphasized the importance of identity for members of the Deaf community.
The following year, on 17 October 2021, Dr. Chong conducted another session on leadership for SSD members, again held via Zoom. About 20 Deaf participants joined this workshop, which highlighted the essential role of leadership within the Deaf community and inspired attendees to actively support their peers and advocate for their rights.
The third session was an in-person Deaf Empowerment Workshop organized by SSD from 18 to 20 February 2022. Dr. Chong delivered a talk on Deaf culture and identity, reaching both Deaf attendees from Sarawak and a few non-Deaf participants involved in developing policies for the Deaf community. With around 50 participants, this workshop encouraged inclusive policy-making and empowered the Deaf community in Sarawak through direct engagement.
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