CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- What does reading mean for individuals with disabilities? It's a window to the world and a pathway to dreams. The “Letters Reveal the Souls” reading for the deaf, hosted by the Information Center of the Chongqing City Disabled Persons' Federation and supported by the Chongqing Association of Persons with Hearing Disabilities, took place at Jingdian Bookstore in Chongqing's Nan'an District on November 3. Over 30 deaf participants gathered at the event to connect through a shared love of books, guided by deaf teachers who shared valuable communication skills. This unique space allowed them to immerse themselves in the wisdom and strength found in the written word, engaging with it in their special way.

Lei Ming, a deaf teacher from Chongqing Qicong School, captivated the audience with a presentation on "The Deaf and Society" during the event. This insightful book delves deeply into the communication methods and challenges faced by the deaf community. Through sign language, Lei Ming explained various communication techniques among the deaf and between the deaf and the hearing. “Some deaf individuals can only understand mouth shapes and sign language from familiar people and adapt to the speaking habits of only a few,” Lei Ming noted. “Yet, it’s important to break away from the habit of relying solely on those we know. We should strive to communicate confidently with new people.”

Lei Ming's sharing is rewarding. During a break, eager participants approached Lei, seeking advice through sign language. Questions ranged from, "Is it my problem that I can't communicate well in unfamiliar environments?" to "I'm afraid others will be impatient when I try to communicate with the hearing; how do I overcome this?" and "How can I clearly express my thoughts?"

In addressing these concerns, Lei Ming highlighted that the expressiveness of deaf individuals tends to be less developed than that of the hearing, who build vocabulary by listening to others. Deaf individuals can, however, expand their vocabulary through extensive reading, thereby improving their language skills and lessening moments when they struggle to articulate their thoughts. "The deaf community often has a more limited social circle compared to their hearing counterparts, which is all the more reason for us to be brave in reaching out and enriching our world," Lei encouraged.

Tian Ye, Vice Chairperson of the Chongqing Association of Persons with Hearing Disabilities, shared the broader vision behind the reading: "We recognize that many deaf individuals feel disconnected from society and hope for a valuable opportunity to acquire knowledge, make new friends, and expand social networks; therefore, we held this reading. Supported by the Chongqing City Disabled Persons' Federation, we made significant investments in technology to facilitate seamless communication. Live broadcasts, synchronized audio and video, automatic subtitling, and custom tools like barrier-free displays and sign language translation were all employed. Our goal is to dismantle the communication barriers between the deaf and the hearing, creating a vital bridge for connection." (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)