Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – The Malang City Government (Pemkot) involves special needs groups in determining the direction of Malang City's development in 2023. This is packaged in the Thematic Disability Development Planning Meeting (Musrenbang) by the Malang City Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda).
The question arises, what about the deaf and mute disability groups? Do they understand the language of normal people every day? The answer is of course no. Therefore, people with special deaf needs a translator or sign language interpreter.
In Indonesia, there are two types of sign language used. First, Indonesian Sign Language (BISINDO). Second, Indonesian Sign Language System (SIBI). For the lay public, both seem the same. However, both BISINDO and SIBI actually have different meanings.
SIBI is a sign language adopted from American Sign Language (ASL). This sign language is also commonly used in Special Schools (SLB) to communicate between teachers and students or between students. Although it is a sign language recommended by the government, many argue that SIBI is more difficult because it contains standard and complicated vocabulary.
BISINDO is a language commonly used by deaf and mute people since childhood. It can be said that BISINDO is a natural language that is easily understood by fellow deaf people or when used to communicate with normal people.
Sign language interpreter Ni Ketut Desy Ariani said, when translating a language into sign language, not only hand gestures are used, but also facial expressions or expressions. Sign language interpreters are tasked with translating the speaker's language into sign language or vice versa.
"So that deaf friends can submit proposals and receive information well and clearly in this musrenbang. The goal is to build Malang City to be more inclusive and friends with disabilities can be more comfortable, and they can enjoy development to the maximum," said Desy, Friday (17/2/2022).
Desy admitted that she is still learning to become a sign language interpreter. She has been interested in sign language since she started communicating with deaf people in an activity involving the disability community in Malang City. Since then, precisely in 2017, Desy really fell in love at first sight with the deaf world. Finally, Desy really took learning sign language seriously.
"I am a volunteer in a community in Malang City, called Akar Tuli and at the Center for Disability Service Studies, Brawijaya University. Then from there I often help deaf friends to access, such as accompanying deaf friends on campus and communities in Malang," said the Bachelor of Psychology, Brawijaya University.
Desy said, to become a sign language interpreter currently there is no special school. However, for sign language classes there are already at the Indonesian Sign Language Interpreter Service Center. They open special classes, such as Malang sign classes, East Java sign classes, Bali sign classes, and Jakarta. Because each region is different, so in becoming a sign language interpreter must continue to learn and adjust to the characteristics of deaf friends.
"So it's more like a lesson and most of all meeting deaf friends directly is the most important thing, so you can practice directly. The challenge of being a sign language interpreter, because deaf friends themselves are also diverse, so every time we meet a new deaf friend we learn again. Because there must be some signs that are definitely different, so we have to adjust the literacy of our friends too," explained Desy who is a BISINDO sign language interpreter on a daily basis.
Desy and her deaf and mute friends expressed their gratitude to the Malang City Government for involving them in determining the direction of Malang City's development. They hope that Malang City's accessibility for the disabled can increase, not only for deaf friends, but also for the physically disabled, visually impaired, and others.
"So that people with disabilities can be happier and more comfortable in the place where they live and can enjoy development to the maximum," he hoped.
The Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji, emphasized to truly reflect the statement that 'I, You, We are Equal.' Where all are equally creatures of God Almighty. According to him, all humans are special in their own way and only good deeds will differentiate in the eyes of the Creator.
"Malang City Government continues to strengthen its commitment to implementing inclusive development. Including protecting and accommodating the aspirations of the disabled with the Thematic Disability Musrenbang. I hope that Malang City can be realized as inclusive and friendly to the disabled," he concluded at the Atria Hotel, Malang City, Thursday (16/2/2022). (eka/ram)
