Persons with hearing and speech impairments benefit from training on “Communications Skills”
On 26 – 27 January 2023, the Disability Action Council Secretariat General (DAC-SG), organised a training on “Communications Skills,” which was provided to 54 participants (34 are female) community members with hearing and speech impairments, who are beneficiaries of the Australia-Cambodia Cooperation for Equitable Sustainable Services (ACCESS) Program.
The training is part of a joint-action plan between DAC-SG and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MoWA) that aims to improve communications and negotiation skills in persons with hearing and speech impairments, as well as raise awareness of violence against women and related available gender-based violence services, allowing them to mobilise support and protect themselves from violence.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Em Chan Makara, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans, and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSVY) and Director General of DAC-SG, stated that MoSVY and DAC had a strong commitment towards ensuring that women and girls with disabilities exercised their rights, got equal opportunities and protection and were able to use their voice in the decision-making process. He added that through this training, persons with disabilities would gain more confidence, be more willing to discuss and communicate about finding support and consequently to receive their right to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination made towards them.
The training provided by disability experts from DAC-SG, consisted of suitable facilitation methods such as using visually accessible presentations and sign language as training aids.
One of the male participants shared, “I am happy to be part of the workshop. I met people from different places. It was my first time attending this kind of a workshop. I have learned about the support services available, in particular where to go when we have problems.”.
The Australian Government through the ACCESS Program, works in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia and its Implementing Partners to improve sustainability and inclusiveness of services to persons with disabilities and women affected by gender-based violence.
