Statement to International Day of Disabilities

(Statement can also be found below) International Day of Persons with Disabilities Press Release Statement - Read our president's message on behalf of IFHOHYP board: https://buff.ly/3lIle3v

2020 has been a particularly difficult year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, where as people with hearing loss, we suddenly found ourselves thrown into a new reality where we face even further communication challenges. The prominent use of face masks has almost cut us off from our communities and the lack of accessibility on virtual platforms have created additional stress as we navigate through these new forms of communication.

In what may seem the darkest times there is still a glimmer of hope. We remain resilient in face of these new challenges thanks to our innate abilities to adapt and find creative solutions just as we always have. Some members in our community took on the initiative to collect information about transparent face masks, shields, and technology that will enable accessible communication, thus forming the Accessibility Committee. By doing so we are also promoting public awareness and modelling accessibility for all.

Despite not being able to meet in-person, our Members and Information Committee have found other ways of keeping us connected through the power of social media. We had the opportunity to host several virtual get-togethers. It is critical for us to stay connected, to be the source of support for each other and more importantly, to work together in building a community that is disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable, aligning with this year’s theme: “Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID 19 World”.

Leonie von Berlin