JEDDAH, 10 September 2007 — The Mawada Social Counseling Center has started a department catering for the deaf who use sign language. The department will assist deaf couples in expressing their problems to counselors.
The department has grown out of the deaf couples turning to the center for help; they are unable to explain their problems and feelings and often they bring their children — who are not deaf — to help them express their problems to the counselors.
Yaser Shalab, chief family counselor at the center, said, “It is embarassing when children are asked to explain their parents’ problems. We felt sorry for the parents and decided to look for someone who knew sign language.”
The center is now organizing a special course in sign language on family relations.
Deaf couples often come to the center complaining that their families are over-protective, said Shalab.
As with any couples, they need their privacy and independence. Problems arise when their families expect them to be always accompanied by someone who is not deaf.
“This puts pressure on the husband since his family is attempting to control him even though he is an adult. His wife naturally expects him to be independent,” said a counselor at the center.
He went on to explain that even though some of these people can read, their understanding is often limited because they have had to depend on sign language all their lives.
The center urged those with relatives or friends who are deaf to enroll themselves in the family relations course in sign language. Further information is available from the center in Jeddah at phone 619-4444.
