International Policy Development: AAPD Hosts South African Fellow

From AAPD (11.17.10):

International Policy Development: AAPD Hosts South African Fellow

From October 25 to November 5, 2010 AAPD was honored to have Ms. Betty Mokoena from South Africa (SA) visit AAPD for two weeks as part of a Fellowship program sponsored through the U.S. State Department and Appalachian State University. The goal of the fellowship program is to strengthen South Africa's democracy and assist in the empowerment of mid-level government professionals, and to enhance technical skills and institution-building capacity for South African legislative professionals. Ms. Mokoena’s focus was on policymaking and issues of concern for people who are deaf and hard of hearing. As a sign language interpreter for the SA parliament, she was most interested in policy development from the American viewpoint.  Over the course of her fellowship, AAPD helped coordinate her meetings with representatives from the U.S. Congress, Telecommunications for the Deaf, Inc., Sorenson VRS, Verizon, Federal Communications Commission, Hearing Loss Association of America, and the Northern Virginia Resource Center. She also found time to tour Gallaudet and meet key people there.  Below is Ms. Mokoena’s story that she wrote for us:

"JUSTICE FOR ALL”

 My name is Betty Tshepiso Mokoena, born to Deaf parents. I am a Professional South African Sign Language Practitioner and an Advocate for Disability Rights

One would ask what does justice mean: You can’t define justice but you can see justice, when you are treated fairly and equal. Justice prevails when I am treated with dignity and fairness regardless of my race, gender and disability. How do we defend justice? One would say when Laws are passed and not just Laws that are favorable to anybody but Laws that are accommodative of People with Disabilities. The Legislators tend to justify the ignorance of sidelining People with Disabilities and later realized that by doing so, they are in contravention of Human Rights. From my past observation especially when Act or Legislation is passed in the House, people with disabilities are often “forgotten”. Who do we blame? The Legislature or the Disability sector for not being complacent? Then one would ask again what does Justice mean? Justice mean: Equality, Empowerment, Education, Equal opportunities and Employment.

Life is full of challenges and adversities, but that doesn't mean you can't overcome them. My experience is a testament to that. I grew up fighting for a just life, to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness even though my parents were Deaf. But,  was I living in a just Society? No, because there was no Justice. I was ostracized by the ignorant society because I was from a Deaf family. Luckily, I overcame my adversity, because I believed in what I was and who I was. Even though my family was labeled because of the stigma that prevailed and superseded sanity, I survived the discrimination. Did I enjoy my childhood life? No, because I was living in an unjust society, the society that was ignorant, that believed misconception and unfounded facts.  My definition of Justice for all is: Equality, living my life without fear and prejudice and enjoy my rights as human being.

I was not  powerless, I didn’t have to make excuses, because of my parents disability and I’d  never wallowed in self-pity or blame others because I knew who I was a CODA: Child of a Deaf Adult.