What is Audism?
Audism is discrimination against Deaf people, based on the belief that those who can hear and speak are superior. It creates barriers in education, employment, and daily life, limiting opportunities for the Deaf community.
Audism in Education
In schools, audism appears in many ways:
- Lack of Sign Language Access – Many Deaf students struggle when teachers do not use sign language.
- Speech Over Sign Language – Some educators and parents prioritise speech and lip-reading over sign language, delaying language development.
- Low Expectations – Some believe Deaf students cannot achieve academic success, leading to fewer opportunities.
- Limited Access to Interpreters – Without skilled interpreters, Deaf students miss out on full learning experiences.
Raising Awareness in Malaysia
In 2021, DeafMT (Media and Technology Association for the Deaf in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur) organised the Audism Education programme via Zoom. It worked with JUPEBIM (Interpreters and Translators Association for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Deaf Community) and MyBIM, which translated content from American Sign Language (ASL) to Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM).
Over 200 people engaged on Facebook and YouTube, showing growing awareness of audism in education.
Moving Forward
To combat audism, we must:
- Promote BIM in Schools – Deaf students need sign language access and qualified interpreters.
- Educate Teachers and Parents – Awareness of sign language and Deaf culture is crucial.
- Advocate for Policy Changes – Deaf students have the right to fully accessible education.
- Encourage Inclusion – Hearing individuals should learn about sign language and Deaf culture.
By addressing audism, we can create a more inclusive education system for the Deaf community in Malaysia.