Under the Patronage of the President of Kuwait University and in Partnership with the National Guard, The College of Education Held the ‘47th Arab Deaf Day 2022 Event: Inclusion of Sign Language in Educational Curriculums at All Stages’
Under the patronage and attendance of the President of Kuwait University Professor Yousef Muhammad Al-Roumi, and the Undersecretary of the National Guard Lt. General Engineer Hashem Abdulrazaq Al-Refai, the College of Education, in partnership with the National Guard, organized the Arab Deaf Day event under the slogan ‘47th Arab Deaf Day 2022: Inclusion of Sign Language in Educational Curriculums at All Stages’. The event coincides with the Arab Deaf week, which is organized annually by Deaf Associations in the Arab countries. The event was also attended by the Acting Dean of the College of Education Professor Fayez Al-Dhafiri, several faculty members, leaders in Kuwait University and the National Guard, and the head of the Friends of the Disabled Team Sheikha Suhaila Al-Sabah, in addition to students.
The event aimed to raise awareness about the deaf and their characteristics, abilities, the special care they need, ways of communicating with them, and preserving their social, educational, cultural, and health care rights.
The President of Kuwait University Professor Yousef Muhammad Al-Roumi said that the Arab Deaf Day event was held under the direction of His Highness, the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (may Allah protect him), who always sponsors such events. Professor Al-Roumi added that the leaders of the National Guard were very cooperative, and that the recommendations of the Arab Deaf Day will take effect soon. He also said that Islam gave special care to people with disabilities as they were mentioned in the Holy Quran and were given special rights and protection.
Professor Al-Roumi emphasized that Kuwait University has taken it upon itself to address the challenges that face students with disabilities. The Deanship of Student Affairs established a department for students with special needs. They provide special-needs students with all the accommodations needed, such as qualified sign language interpreters for deaf students.
The Undersecretary of the National Guard Lt. General Engineer Hashem Abdulrazaq Al-Refai passed on the regards of His Highness Shiekh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah, Chief of the National Guard. He expressed his happiness in participating in the event, and said that the National Guard, under the direction of His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (may Allah protect him) are giving great care to raising awareness about the deaf community. He added that the National Guard introduced a ‘Sign Language Interpreter’ training course to prepare some guards to communicate with deaf people when required. The National Guard currently has nearly 200 trained interpreters in sign language.
The Acting Dean of the College of Education Professor Fayez Al-Dhafiri expressed his pride in holding such events. He said that Kuwait University has already taken a step to include sign language in all the curriculums. The University established a committee that specializes in the affairs of students with disabilities. He added that in partnership with the National Guard, the College of Education held a workshop for sign language for students and faculty members.
Assistant Professor in the Curriculum and Instruction Department Dr. Uhood Al-Hajiri gave a presentation about the importance of sign language. She expressed her happiness that leaders in the government and in Kuwait University are showing interest in this matter and are taking steps to raise awareness about people with disabilities, especially the deaf.
The Arab Deaf Day event also included an introductory workshop in sign language presented by sign language instructor First Sergeant Hamad Saad Al-Rashed.