Since January this year (2019), staff at Bouillon Youth Hostel in southern Belgium started taking sign language lessons that is rarely practised in the tourism sector.
The woman behind the initiative is Dominique Duchatel, director of the youth hostel chain Les Auberges de Jeunesse, which counts 10 establishments across the country.
“I’ve been taking sign language evening classes myself for the last three years. The deaf community got to know about it, so much so that we recently hosted several groups of deaf persons. So I thought it would be a good idea for all of my staff to learn it, too,” she explained.
The goal was for her team to master the basics of communicating in sign language, but also for them to understand how best to welcome deaf clients, whose needs are a little different.
The 13 staff members (from the cook to the tourist guide to maintenance personnel) at Bouillon Youth Hostel turned to Annie Devos, a sign language interpreter, to help them with the challenge.
The canteen where the training took place was not exactly silent. “Even though I’m introducing them to sign language, I still use the spoken word. It’s important for me to raise awareness about certain things, especially when it comes to the context and culture of the deaf community,” the interpreter said.
Raising awareness about the particularities of this community helps to break down popular misconceptions.
The introductory phase touched upon some important things to know when communicating with deaf and partially deaf persons.
Many of the insights shared in these sessions will help the staff facilitate interactions between hearing and non-hearing guests.
“It’s really enjoyable, fun and very enriching,” Jérôme, assistant director of the hostel, said. “At first, you’re a bit afraid you won’t manage it, but actually everyone can do it.”
This sign language training course, tested at Bouillon over nine days, was an effective pilot project.
Across Belgium, the entire Les Auberges de Jeunesse network might take up this approach in the near future – a move sure to delight those affected by deafness in the country.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 30 June 2019