The Safer South Africa Foundation (SSAF) will be holding the sixth Virtual Silent Walk/Run in support of international deaf awareness month.
“We want to mobilise the community to take part in the event in order to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the deaf community in accessing the criminal justice system,” says Pitso Mereko, SSAF provincial coordinator: Free State.
The International Month for Deaf People is an initiative of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) that was first launched in 1958 in Rome, Italy. However, outside of the deaf community, it is not recognised in South Africa.
”We believe that broader community participation should be encouraged because it serves as an opportunity for the deaf to connect with those who are not,” says Mereko.
The International Week of Deaf People is held in the last week of September, and is commemorated through various activities like marches, debates, campaigns, and exhibitions.
The commemoration calls for the participation and involvement of stakeholders (families, peers, governmental bodies, professional sign language interpreters, organisations representing people with disabilities).
In Welkom the sixth Virtual Run/Walk will take place on 24 September between 08:00 and 10:00. The start and finish line is Virgin Active, Welkom, and the theme this year is #EndDeafGBV #GBV #Deaf #SilentWalk&Run #DeafLivesMatter.
“The Silent Walk is a Fun Walk/Run aimed at attracting those without hearing disabilities to walk with a mask and earplugs so that they have an appreciation of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community’s daily lives,” says Mereko.
He says the annual walk/run has seen an increase in the number of participants, especially in the competitive 10 km run, with a total number of just over 1 000 people partaking in the walk. It is estimated that the Run/Walk will attract a large number of participants as word spreads.
Contributions can be made into the account of the Bartimea School for the Deaf and Blind: Standard Bank, current account number 240560507, branch code 05-56-33, Brandwag).
Enquiries: Mereko on 083-276-4802.
