MassComm students are adept at spoken communication. But when faced with a person who can neither hear nor speak, it becomes a learning experience in non-verbal communication. Meet Supriya Meghnath Dethe, 26, a sales personnel at Zudio, Star Bazar, in Phoenix Mall in Viman Nagar. She is both hearing and speech impaired. And yet she communicates cogently, intelligibly and effectively – using meaningful signs and gestures. This reporter had occasion to interact with her while shopping at the store. Fortunately, I have rudimentary knowledge of sign language. This is how the interaction went: I point to the clothes I have selected and ask her how many I can try out in the trial room. She holds up three fingers. That was easy. I point to the store and ask her in gestures how long she has worked here. She holds up six fingers. She understood perfectly. Does she like working here ? Her response is a big smile. Her ability to interpret precisely what you are asking is uncanny. Supriya was not born hearing and speech impaired. When she was 3 years old, she developed a high fever and no medicine worked. Overnight, she lost her hearing and speaking ability. Her world turned silent, but she was determined she would not be left out. Born and brought up in Pune, Supriya completed her under-graduation in Bachelors of Arts. She has been working for six years now. On being asked about where and how she learnt sign language, she explained that she grew up with friends and acquaintances who had the same impairment. She learnt sign language from them and advanced her skills by watching YouTube videos. “My greatest support system is my sister and mother,” she mentioned. Many speech and hearing impaired persons struggle to learn sign language. They also struggle to find equal opportunities in workplaces. The empowerment and encouragement of the community at workplaces is the way forward.
10 Jan 2022
Shirin Pajnoo
