In response to the United Nations’ International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of Deaf People, the Macau Deaf Association organised a community event at Broadway Macau to support this year’s special day and week. The event, which was funded by the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macau SAR Government with the venue sponsored by Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG), was held on Saturday 23 September on the first floor of Broadway Macau.
Guests attending the event opening ceremony included Mr Sun Zhijun, Director of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR, Mr Ho Ion Sang, member of Legislative Assembly, Mr Sou Chi Kuan, Head of the Rehabilitation Services Division of the Social Welfare Bureau, and Ms Yonnie Cheong, Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility, Public Relations of GEG.
This year’s theme for the International Day of Sign Languages celebrates “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!” The event features sign language stage plays and interactive game booths. During the opening ceremony, deaf and hearing-impaired children as well as adults teamed up to perform a play titled Same as You on stage, where the characters help each other find hope in difficult times. The aim of the play is to convey the importance of respecting differences.
After the opening ceremony, the organizer launched an inclusive bus parade, with deaf people and hearing sign language ambassadors riding together.
The bus toured around Taipa, Iao Hon and Patane districts, with the participants playing sign language interactive games with residents, promoting the important messages of the International Day of Sign Languages and International Week of Deaf People.
