Group films lives of people with hearing impairments

National

A NEW Zealand crew is filming a documentary on the lives of people with hearing
impairments, organised by Callan Services.
Callan Services national unit director Br Kevin Ryan said while the government was working on the process of formalising “sign language” with appropriate legislation and implementation procedures, “we are delighted that the deaf community journey will be documented”.
“The organisation is hosting the three-member film crew from Stretch Productions in New Zealand,” he said.
The crew arrived last Thursday and will leave tomorrow.
The filming is being done in Lae, Morobe, Kainantu, Goroka in Eastern Highlands and Banz in Jiwaka.
The documentary will focus on the use of sign language among people who are deaf.
“The New Zealand film crew are recording the work of young men and women who have been at the forefront of PNG sign language development since the project
was initiated five years ago,” Ryan said.
“It is envisaged that the documentary will capture key sign language words currently used by the deaf community in Papau New Guinea in English, Tok Pisin and Hiri Motu languages.
“It will also record the successes and immense challenges faced by people who are deaf in this country.”
He said that in 2015, the government announced sign language as the fourth official language of the country.
The network of Callan Services consists of 19 Inclusive Education Resource Centres, Callan Studies National Institute and Callan Services National Unit.