Sign Network LK makes Colomboscope Arts Festival inclusive, accessible to the deaf

Sign Network LK, a non-profit pioneering force in fostering inclusivity and breaking communication barriers in Sri Lanka, is taking a significant step towards making art accessible to everyone and promoting inclusivity at the Colomboscope Arts Festival 2024, through a free workshop and exhibition interpretation for people with hearing impairments.

Sign Network LK Co-founder Amani Naeemullah said: “With the number of people with hearing impairments progressively increasing past 400,000 in a population of 21 million citizens, the urgent need for initiatives that cater to the needs of the Deaf community is rising. Our segment at Colomboscope 2024 is a step towards creating a more inclusive world, where the Deaf and hearing communities can connect seamlessly through the beauty of sign language.”

Co-founder Akhlaq Gazzali said: “Through such initiatives, we also aim to create awareness about the Deaf community’s richness and diversity, fostering unity and understanding.”

Colomboscope is a renowned contemporary arts festival and creative platform that has grown within the cultural landscape of Colombo since 2013. It provides a space for interdisciplinary dialogue, bringing together artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, and more from Sri Lanka and around the world.

“As a partially deaf individual and Head Sign Language Trainer at Sign Network LK, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of such initiatives that break communication barriers. Our workshop not only teaches sign language but also opens doors to a more connected and empathetic world,” says Sign Network LK Head Trainer Sir Asoka Abeywardana

As part of Colomboscope 2024, Sign Network LK will host a workshop titled “Navigating through the Silent Woods: Signs of the Forest” on Saturday, 27 January from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Barefoot Gallery. This workshop will teach basic prepositions and nature-inspired signs, allowing participants to collectively sign a short story.

In addition to that, Sign Network LK will join the curators and provide Sign Language interpretation for a walk-through at JDA Perera Gallery Col 7 on Saturday, 27 January from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. making the tour accessible for individuals with hearing impairments. All Deaf individuals and those with hearing impairments are invited to join.

Through innovative sign language workshops, impactful training sessions, and engaging community events, the NGO empowers individuals to communicate effectively and envisions a society where communication knows no bounds.