Deaf people want to participate and should have access to recreational activities. In a country like Malaysia, the landscape varies depending on the region, from biking and running in Kuala Lumpur to rafting in the Kampar River. There’s something in it for everyone. However, in Malaysia, the Deaf community often faces unique challenges with participating in these activities. Sometimes, sport-related activities don’t cater to their specific needs.

But, with the growing awareness of the Malaysian Deaf community, there is a shift in creating a space that accommodates them. It transforms the experience of deaf people to enjoy their leisure time. In this post, we’ll learn more about the changes in recreational activities for the Deaf community in Malaysia. 

Deaf in Malaysia

The Deaf community in Malaysia faces some prejudice and marginalization from the rest of society. The Malaysian Deaf community is also going through an identity crisis. 

Being marginalized linguistically is difficult for anyone.  In previous articles, we have learned how crucial sign language is to the identity of the Deaf community. Without this component, it’s hard to embrace what being Deaf means. Every culture has its sense of identity, even if it isn’t what people in that country are. So, why can’t the Malaysian Deaf community have that same experience?

Identity Crisis

Some of this crisis of identity construction lies in the fact that there is insufficient research on the Malaysian Deaf community. Therefore, that doesn’t pave the way for improving the position of Deaf people in society. They experience various forms of oppression from education, employment, healthcare, and beyond. On the other side, Deaf Malaysians try to balance between two worlds, doing things as the hearing community would but also staying true to their roots.

The identity crisis also carries over to their life experiences. Some come from families where Deaf people might be born into hearing families who have a hard time with acceptance, while others might come from Deaf families. Communication is difficult in private life, and Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia is the sign language by law in Malaysia. Yet, Sign Language is legalized but there’s a lack of presence in Malaysia. In what ways can Sign Language build a community?

Recreational activities could be part of the solution, where people of similar backgrounds can participate in a common interest and connect as a community.

Benefits of Recreational Activity 

Photo by Kampus Production

Outdoor adventures, workshops, and physical activity have tremendous benefits for individuals. Recreational activities promote better health and interpersonal relationships and strengthen communities. Activities at the gym or community center improve the quality of life for adults and children. The development of children from a young age determines how they will function in the long term. It is especially crucial for children who become or are born Deaf. 

A crucial part of these activities is building a sense of togetherness and finding a community to identify with. It is what the Deaf community truly needs. Creating a community may decrease prejudice and stereotypes. While it’s not a one-solution remedy, participating in recreational sports with others leads to a sense of understanding between different communities. 

Combatting Isolation and Alienation

People in the Deaf community face isolation because they are at greater risk. It’s also true for people who become Deaf later in life. Deaf people can experience alienation from former social groups and hobbies. Art, culture, and sports activities can make people feel less lonely.

The internet is doing wonders in the modern world by giving Deaf people an outlet to connect with others through recreational activities. These online chat rooms allow them to share their experience in sports or art with others in the community. In return, this can decrease the sense of loneliness and isolation in the community. It is leading to overall better well-being. 

Activities Available 

Photo by Oliver Sjöström

One of the issues with bringing the Deaf community into recreational sports is that most are for hearing people. Therefore, there is this lack of understanding of “How can we make this more inclusive to minority communities?” Contrary to popular belief and stigmas placed on the Deaf community, they are just as capable and interested in recreational activities as the hearing community. 

The Deaf community joins activities based on their interests, like spin classes, gardening, or painting workshops. Inviting Deaf people into this space, even if the majority of participants are hearing people, increases the visibility of this community and can potentially diminish the ignorance between the hearing and the Deaf. There must be an inclusive environment within these spaces. It’s a community effort, after all. 

Sports

Many sports are available to Deaf people. It was made possible by The Malaysian Deaf Sports Association, established in 1993. The organization has a wealth of sports for the community, including badminton, soccer, bowling, and more. They have also hosted events for the Deaf to compete against one another and trained athletes to compete in the Deaflympic Games, Asia Pacific Deaf Games, and ASEAN Deaf Games.

Other sports like bouldering, rock climbing, cycling, and swimming are also available to the Deaf community in Malaysia. Deaf people can use hearing aids by removing the internal parts and making minor adjustments to make the water safer. Other adjustments made for the Deaf in Malaysia include a lot of visual aids to explain the different sports and body language.

Sign Language Workshops

Various types of workshops are offered as recreational activities in Malaysia. While it’s not a physically demanding sport, it is still a challenge that can bring people together and learn a new skill. One of the best ways for Deaf people to connect is through language classes. 

YMCA of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) is an independent language from spoken Malay. Participants can take this class for a small fee and go through a course that teaches them how to use Sign Language. It is an opportunity for people who became deaf later in life or never got the chance to learn it due to barriers created by the hearing community. It’s also available to hearing people interested in Sign Language and who want to connect with the Deaf community. 

Arts and Film

Art is something that everyone can appreciate. We all like to visit galleries, attend film festivals, and things like that. A notable event for the Malaysian Deaf community in 2018. The Maybank Foundation launched an event for Deaf people in Malaysia and worldwide to submit their art in an international exhibition. Thirty pieces of artwork were featured, representing everything from culture, life, nature, and more themes. 

The exhibition bridged the gap between Deaf communities from Malaysia and abroad. It was to bring cultures together. The paintings represented the courage of the Deaf community and standing up to the rest of the world to show they can do what everyone else is capable of regardless of their background or physical limitations. The Maybank has been holding events like this for the Deaf community since the 80s and hopes to showcase more Deaf artists in the future. 

Pop Culture Experiences

Music is a universal language. For example, think of a concert by an English-speaking artist, where English isn’t the dominant language, everyone manages to sing along. It goes to show that music has no barriers. You don’t have to understand the lyrics to enjoy the beat and sway to the rhythm. But what about the Deaf people who can’t hear at all? Can they still have the same experience?

The answer is yes, of course, they can, thanks to DeafBeats. 

Deafbeats is a group of Deaf musicians who have been making music since 2007. They have performed at global events, including festivals for the Deaf community, and their main goal is to inspire. Even if you are Deaf or hearing impaired, you can still enjoy the same things as everyone else. 

To learn more about how sports and recreation are becoming more accessible to Deaf communities worldwide, visit our blog at https://www.unspokenasl.com/

Photo Credit to: Photo by Indra Gunawan