Sign language workshop to help communication

Muscat, March 9

The Ministry of Social Development, represented by the General-Directorate for Persons with Disabilities, organised a specialised training workshop in sign language at the first level of the ‘Omani Sign Dictionary’. Fifteen participants from the Directorate’s employees took part in the workshop that is being held over five days.

It aims to spread Omani sign language to employees of the General Directorate for Persons with Disabilities. It also aims to facilitate communication and complete transactions for hearing-impaired clients, as well as provide employees with terminology related to job titles, tasks, and department and division names within the Directorate. Additionally, the workshop aims to qualify employees to interact with hearing-impaired individuals in various life situations and enable them to use sign language terms in sentences and dialogues to communicate effectively.

The workshop began with a historical overview of sign language on its first day, followed by practical applications in sign language for letters, family, business, and religion. In the upcoming days, practical applications will cover attributes, cases, colours, services, job titles and tasks, as well as the names of wilayats of the Sultanate of Oman, Arab countries, the environment, oceans and social relations.

Moza bint Salim al Ghafriyah, a sign language expert at the Ministry of Social Development, emphasised the importance of the workshop, stating: “We aim to equip participants with communication skills for individuals with hearing disabilities, provide them with sign language communication services, and enable them to complete transactions independently without needing a sign language interpreter. Additionally, participants will gain familiarity with the culture and psychology of individuals with hearing disabilities.”

Participant Ahmed bin Suleiman al Awfi from the National Autism Centre highlighted the significance of learning sign language for communicating with colleagues who have hearing disabilities, assisting in translation and conveying information to those in need.