In efforts to break down the barriers of communication with the hearing-impaired, people with sound hearing will be able to attend Arabic sign language classes in Jeddah.

The classes will be held at a local hall and will involve a series of training programs on how to deal with those hard of hearing or with varying degrees of deafness.

The session is being organized by Mariam Hudood, mother of two deaf children who strongly feels that promoting sign language in Arabic will help normal people to communicate better with those not as fortunate and encourage everyone to learn it.

“The sessions will help people who have a hard time communicating with the hearing-impaired as well as those eager to learn sign language,” Hudood said.

She pointed out that it was important for family members with deaf children to learn sign language in order to communicate with them.

“It is equally important for employees in banks, hospitals, the government and private sectors to learn sign language as they also have to deal with the hearing impaired,” she said.

A group of four trainers will share their expertise during the week-long session with the aim of helping involve disabled people in the wider community and offer training in sign language to both genders in order to enhance communication.

“We are trying our best to give deaf people a voice in the community and help to bridge the communication gap by encouraging people of normal hearing learn sign language,” Hudood said.