Barrier-Free Travel: Deaf Guides of Bali

The Indonesian population is actually estimated at 240 million in addition to the number of hearing-impaired children is actually over two million. Deafness in infancy in addition to childhood has an immense impact on communication, education, employment in addition to quality of life, in addition to yet deafness has received little attention inside health development arena. One Balinese man is actually spreading awareness within Bali. Wahyu Cahyadi is actually deaf, in addition to works as a driver in addition to tour guide for some other deaf in addition to hearing-impaired people.

In 2009, Jonas Noser was Once more visiting Bali by his native Switzerland when his deaf Balinese friend Wahyu Cahyadi clearly wanted to earn a decent livelihood. Noser soon made the item possible for some other deaf people to visit a foreign land without the communication obstacles of the hearing world. Since then, 100 travel enthusiasts have taken advantage of the guides in addition to demand is actually increasing.

Deaf Guides

Wahyu was born in Ruteng, Flores where he attended the Primary School for Deaf in Ruteng by 1991 until 1999. Afterwards, Wahyu in addition to his family moved to Bali where he studied for six more years at a school for the deaf in Jimbaran. Following high school, he studied computer technology at the University of Technology in Denpasar by 2005 until 2009. During This kind of period, Wahyu communicated with lecturers by using sign language or by lip reading.

Bali Deaf Guide caters for deaf people, hearing-impaired people, friends in addition to anyone who is actually considering spending their holidays in Bali. By offering deaf guides who are familiar with sign language, many more tourists can enjoy barrier-free travelling. A local guide opens up a fresh world to deaf visitors, including the island’s history in addition to lifestyle. Not to mention the splendor of the Balinese culture. With the help of Deaf Guides Bali, a trip to an exotic land can come to life, through the talking hands of their guide, thanks to the entire world of international sign language.

Foreign Tourists

Wahyu became a tour guide after speaking with many deaf foreign tourists who were visiting his deaf school in Jimbaran. The taxi drivers in addition to hearing guides brought them to the deaf school, yet the item was clearly hard in addition to difficult for guests to communicate. Wahyu was asked, “Do you know a deaf driver in addition to deaf guide?” So the decision was made, in which when Wahyu finished studying, he would likely be a self-employed driver in addition to deaf guide. in addition to in 2009 he embarked upon This kind of journey.

Wahyu’s job is actually challenging. He decided to learn about international sign language in Australia, in addition to studied hard to master all aspects of sign language in order to communicate well with each guest. The problem being in which sign language in every country around the entire world is actually different, in addition to even within the same countries there are wide regional dialects. Most deaf tourists are by Australia, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain, Norway, France, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, China, in addition to Canada. in addition to the tours cover favourite spots such as the Monkey Forest in addition to rice terraces in Ubud, Volcano Mount Agung, Pura Besakih, Pura Tirta Empul, Pura Tanah Lot, Pura Uluwatu, Turtle Park, Waterfall Gitgit, white sand beaches, the deaf school in Jimbaran in addition to the deaf village in Bengkala.

Bengkala Sign Language

Although Indonesia carries a form of sign language, many teachers are not familiar with the language, in addition to therefore, is actually not commonly taught to children. Kata Kolok (literally “deaf talk”), also known as Bengkala Sign Language in addition to Balinese Sign Language, is actually a village sign language, which is actually indigenous to two neighbouring villages in northern Bali. The main village, Bengkala, has experienced high incidences of deafness for over seven generations, in addition to is actually well-adapted.

Kata Kolok is actually unrelated to spoken Balinese in addition to lacks certain contact sign in which often arise when a sign language in addition to an oral language are in close contact, such as finger spelling in addition to mouthing. Signers make extensive use of cardinal directions in addition to real-world locations to organize the signing space, in addition to they do not use a metaphorical “time line” for time reference. Deaf people inside village express themselves using special cultural forms such as deaf dance in addition to martial arts. The sign language has been acquired by at least all 5 generations of deaf, native signers in addition to features in all aspects of village life, including religion.

Raising Awareness

In developing countries, such as Indonesia, children with hearing loss in addition to deafness rarely receive any schooling. Adults with hearing loss also have a much higher unemployment rate. Among those who are employed, a higher percentage of people with hearing loss are inside lower grades of employment. Raising awareness does increase employment rates in addition to encourage early detection.

Last yet not least, the days of hearing-challenged travel are today getting better. While in Bali, you can visit one of the Deaf Schools in addition to give back to the young children of This kind of island. Wahyu makes your travels much more interesting in addition to relaxing by having a Deaf Guide to take care of your trip in their country. He will explain to you the finer details about social, culture, in addition to history of the island in sign language! Got an itch to do some more travelling This kind of winter?

Deaf in addition to hearing tourists can contact Wahyu via his email (balideafguide@yahoo.co.id ) or Facebook page.

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Barrier-Free Travel: Deaf Guides of Bali

Polly ChristensenSep 09, 2013Charities, Featured, Travel 1

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Barrier-Free Travel: Deaf Guides of Bali