Expanding Accessibility: Singapore Introduces Video Relay System for the Deaf Community
A video featuring the Video Relay Service, was published on Channel News Asia’s YouTube channel on 27 February 2025. New video-relay system to help Singapore’s deaf community get easier access to everyday services
Singapore is taking significant steps toward inclusivity with the introduction of a new video relay service(VRS) designed to assist the deaf community in accessing everyday services. This system enables users to communicate using Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) through a centralized pool of interpreters, facilitating tasks such as booking appointments and checking bank details.
The implementation of this system is part of a broader national effort to improve inclusivity and follows the Social and Family Development Ministry’s initiative to recognize SgSL as the official language for the deaf community. This move aims to increase participation and inclusion of deaf individuals in workplaces, international events, and educational settings.
The video relay service, facilitated through platforms like Zoom, promises to streamline communication for deaf individuals by providing instant access to interpreters. This could significantly reduce the delays currently experienced with alternative communication methods such as emails or online chats, which can take several days to process requests.
Overall, the introduction of the video relay system marks a pivotal step in Singapore’s journey toward an inclusive society, offering the deaf community enhanced independence and integration into the broader social fabric.
Breaking Barriers: Shufeng’s Impact on Workplace Inclusion
Born deaf, Luo Shufeng faced numerous challenges in her job search and often felt isolated and helpless. With assistance from The Singapore Association for the Deaf, Shufeng secured an administrative position at Lee Wee Brothers, a company committed to inclusion.
Shufeng actively integrated into her team and took the initiative to share basic sign language with her colleagues. This not only removed communication barriers but fostered creativity within the team. Together, they are challenging misperceptions about the deaf.
Shoutout to Lee Wee Brothers for their dedication to creating an inclusive workplace for deaf workers like Shufeng.
Shufeng’s story was published on Lianhe Zaobao’s YouTube channel on 21 Feb 2025.
SADeaf Featured on DETIK Semasa: Raising Awareness of Sign Language and Deaf Culture
SADeaf was recently featured on Mediacorp’s DETIK Semasa, a popular Malay-language program, in a segment titled “Bahasa Tanpa Bicara” (Language Without Words). This captivating episode explores the importance of Sign Language in bridging communication gaps for the Deaf community in Singapore and highlights the cultural significance of this vital language.
Highlighting the Deaf Community’s Experiences
The segment follows Amirul Afiq, a young Deaf individual who has seamlessly integrated Sign Language into his everyday life.. His ability to engage with friends and family through Sign Language emphasizes its role in fostering connection and understanding within the community. The episode showcases how Singapore Sign Language differs structurally from spoken languages like English, adding richness to the Deaf community’s communication.
Communication at Home and Beyond
The episode also explores how Amirul’s family navigates communication, blending text messaging with Sign Language to connect with him. While his parents have limited proficiency in Sign Language, his sister plays a pivotal role in helping bridge the communication gap. This unique family dynamic highlights how modern technology, alongside Sign Language, ensures meaningful interaction and strengthens family bonds despite hearing differences.
Watch the Full Episode
To learn more about Amirul’s inspiring journey and the role of Sign Language in the Deaf community, be sure to watch the full DETIK Semasa segment here.
We are grateful to Mediacorp for featuring SADeaf and for helping raise awareness about the cultural significance of Sign Language and the experiences of the Deaf community in Singapore.
Becoming a Sign Language Interpreter to Help People with Disabilities (Berita Harian)
Saturday, December 14, 2024 ( Published in Berita Harian)
Ms. Suhaila Sulaiman finds another way to contribute to society as a sign language interpreter at the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) since August 2022.
Photo by BH / SHAFIQ APANDI
Becoming a Sign Language Interpreter to Help People with Disabilities
By Insyirah Mohd Shukor
When Ms. Suhaila Sulaiman came across a poster for a “silent” religious class on her university campus, she was moved to join it.
Overcome with emotion, she shed tears as she witnessed a deaf woman recite Surah Al-Fatihah in sign language. That experience opened her heart to learn more about sign language.
Today, Ms. Suhaila, 27, serves as a sign language interpreter at the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf)—a career path she never imagined taking.
In an interview with Berita Harian, she shared that her initial ambition was to become a religious teacher. She achieved a degree in Quranic and Sunnah Studies from the Islamic Science University of Malaysia (USIM) in 2016.
However, her desire to assist the deaf community and create a more inclusive environment—especially for their access to religious knowledge—was too strong to ignore.
Ms. Suhaila, who is also certified under the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) and qualified to be a religious teacher, explained:
“I decided to shift my career direction because I realized I could play a different role and help society in another way. As a sign language interpreter, I have the opportunity to give the deaf community a voice, ensuring their views are heard and appreciated.”
“They (the deaf community) may not communicate or speak like us, but their faith and devotion can still be deeply felt through sign language.”
Recalling the moment that sparked her interest, Ms. Suhaila—who began learning sign language as a volunteer with a disability outreach group at her university, Sekretariat Sahabat FAQEH USIM—expressed admiration for the resilience of the deaf community in seeking religious knowledge despite communication barriers.
When asked about a particularly unforgettable moment, Ms. Suhaila, who has interpreted religious lectures at mosques, said:
“During a program teaching the deaf about religious knowledge through sign language called the Silent Dakwah Course (KDTS), a participant who initially struggled with sign language and understanding it was able to recite prayers in sign language by the end of the program.”
“That moment reminded me that the greatest challenges often bring the most rewarding outcomes,” said the youngest of five siblings.
After returning to Singapore in 2020, Ms. Suhaila deepened her knowledge of sign language.
This was because Malaysian Sign Language (BIM), which she had previously learned, differs from Singapore Sign Language (SgSL), which has its own unique structure and signs. SgSL is a combination of Shanghai Sign Language, American Sign Language, and signs developed specifically in Singapore.
Ms. Suhaila finds her role as a sign language interpreter for the deaf community in Singapore over the past two years deeply meaningful and fulfilling—not just translating words, but also conveying emotions.
“Every day, I remind myself that my job isn’t just to translate words but also to convey the emotions they wish to express,” said Ms. Suhaila.
Article link: https://www.beritaharian.sg/singapura/jadi-jurubahasa-isyarat-demi-bantu-orang-kurang-upaya
Singapore Sign Language: The unique, visual language of Deaf Singaporeans
For Deaf Singaporeans, Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) is more than a set of gestures, and more than a way to communicate.
“It is a distinct language that embodies the cultural identity of the Deaf community in Singapore,” explains Josh Lye, executive director of The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf).
Phoebe Tay, a PhD candidate in linguistics who is deaf, describes SgSL as a natural sign language of Deaf Singaporeans with its own grammar and structure. It is a language that conveys meaning through a combination of hand shapes, movements and facial expressions, and has a grammatical structure that is distinct from spoken and written English.
For Deaf Singaporeans, SgSL is their language.
The term “deaf” (lower-case “d”) refers to the medical condition of hearing loss – in varying degrees. “Deaf” (capital letter “D”) describes people with hearing loss who identify as part of the Deaf community and prefer to use sign language.
SgSL evolved organically within the Deaf community and is “a unique reflection of Singapore’s national heritage and multilingual culture”, says Lye.
SgSL has roots in Shanghainese Sign Language (SSL), which was taught in Singapore’s first school for the deaf, the Singapore Chinese Sign School for the Deaf in the 1950s, alongside written Chinese, which was the other language of instruction of the school. Peng Tsu Ying, one of the school’s founders, taught the techniques and the sign language he had learnt while growing up in Shanghai.
In the 1970s, Lim Chin Heng, a former student of Peng’s who studied in America, brought back American Sign Language (ASL) to the local Deaf community, as well as Signing Exact English, which is not a language in itself, but a manual code that represents English grammar visually.
With the help of four Deaf Singaporeans – Andrew Tay, Shariffah Faaiqah, Amirul Afiq and Lisa Loh – we’ll discover how these varied influences have shaped their language and how some of these signs have changed over time.
Click here to find out more!
BY ALEXIS GABRIELLE, ALYSSA KARLA MUNGCAL, CHARLES TAMPUS, HANNAH ONG, KHOO ZI QI | PUBLISHED: DEC 18, 2024
Forum: Making Singapore Sign Language an official language will benefit deaf community
We thank the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund for recognising and celebrating the accomplishments of persons with disabilities, and encouraging their willingness to serve the community (Father with cerebral palsy among 13 recipients of Goh Chok Tong Enable Award, Dec 3).
Along with others in the disability community and fellow Singaporeans, we applaud the 13 awardees this year. In particular, we celebrate Mr Andrew Tay, who has helped the deaf community here to have a stronger identity through a common language _ Singapore Sign Language (SgSL).
A common language not only enables people to communicate with others, but also brings people together and makes them feel included.
The Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf) has been working with the authorities to recognise SgSL as an official language, since it is the native language for most of the thousands of deaf people and also many of the hard-of-hearing, who together number about 500,000 in Singapore.
If SgSL were to become an official language, it would mean that the things hearing people often take for granted would become more accessible to the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Things like emergency announcements, or even everyday announcements such as on public transport, in hospitals and at workplaces. Things like being able to watch the news on TV with sign language interpretation, something that many neighbouring countries already do.
Standards would improve and with that, opportunities for employment and fuller participation in, and contribution to, society.
We are encouraged that a growing number of hearing people are signing up for sign language classes and various short discovery workshops.
And we hope that the honouring of the 13 persons with disabilities who have contributed to society despite their own challenges will inspire all of us and help us to see that inclusion lifts all of us, and as a country and society, we are all better for it.
Josh Lye
Executive Director
The Singapore Association for the Deaf
Article taken from The Straits Times, Dec 5 2024
Swing For The Deaf, SADeaf Charity Golf
Thank You, our generous Donors and Supporters for making the “Charity Golf & Dinner” on 27 Sept 24 a huge success!
From the excitement on the golf course to an enjoyable evening filled with delicious food and wonderful entertainment. Golfers enjoyed a truly delightful day of golf, friendship and giving amid the lush greenery of Seletar Country Club!
The evening continued with a delectable dinner, performances by renowned local artistes and talented performers, and the presentation of the Deaf Achievers’ Awards, coinciding with the International Week of Deaf Persons. There were also fabulous lucky draw prizes, and an exclusive charity auction featuring high-value and unique items.
Heartfelt gratitude to our Patron Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Second Minister for Law, for being our honoured guest.
A big thank you to our main sponsors: Lee Foundation, Mr Cavinder Bull SC, Ms Denise Phua, Providence Law, Philip Securities, Dr Lim Soon Hock, Woh Hup, HyperCom, AM Global, Mr Robert Soo and many other donors, as well as to our wonderful golfers, for their earnest support. Your contributions are making a huge impact in improving the lives of the Deaf and Hard-of-hearing community.
To all the participants who came out, thank you for being a part of this special day. Your enthusiasm and support were the heart of the event, making it a joyful and memorable experience for everyone.
View images here: https://www.facebook.com/SADeafSG/posts/965345298964820?rdid=pZ7AeMi8zRw4JgIR
Deafinitely Durian Extravaganza
🎉 Thank You for Making the “Deafinitely Durian Extravaganza” a Huge Success! 🎉
We are overjoyed to share that the “Deafinitely Durian Extravaganza” on 7 July 2024 was a resounding success! Thanks to all your support, we managed to raise an incredible $50,000 for the Singapore Association for the Deaf!
A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Lim Biow Chuan, MP for Mountbatten SMC, for gracing us with his presence as our Guest-of-Honour. A special shoutout to Marcus Chin and his amazing crew for keeping us entertained throughout the day. 🎤✨
A big thank you to the sponsors Lim Ah Boy, AllAlloy, AM Global, and Halden United Investment for their generous donations. Your contributions are making a huge impact in improving the lives of Deaf children and community.
We also want to recognize the fantastic volunteer teams from Igniters and Queensway Secondary School. Your dedication and hard work were instrumental in making the day run smoothly.
We extend our deepest gratitude to Nicholas Tan from “Durian Prince” for providing the delicious durians that made the event unforgettable.
To all the participants who joined us and enjoyed the feast and programs, thank you for being a part of this special day. Your enthusiasm and support were the heart of the event, making it a joyful and memorable experience for everyone.
Once again, thank you to everyone who participated, donated, and volunteered. We look forward to seeing you at our next event!
Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1tspg_OcEsk9zxEHvTc_mojHNOpJ9cLO0
Charming ChinaTown Event
We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended and supported the Chinatown Charity Festival held on June 9, 2024, at Kreta Ayer Community Centre. Your presence and participation made this event a resounding success!
The afternoon was filled with the vibrant charm of Chinatown, brought to life by the incredible performances of our talented artists and the delectable offerings from our beloved local hawkers. It was a joy to see the community come together, united in the spirit of giving and celebration.
Special thanks go to the dedicated artists whose captivating performances enchanted us all, adding a touch of magic to the event. We are also deeply grateful to the local hawkers who provided a scrumptious feast that delighted our taste buds and showcased the rich culinary heritage of Chinatown.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the community organizations that collaborated with us, ensuring the smooth running of the festival and enhancing the overall experience for everyone.
Most importantly, we are humbled by the generosity of our attendees. Your contributions have made a significant impact, and the funds raised will go a long way in supporting our charitable cause. Together, we have made a difference in the lives of those in need.
Once again, thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and kindness. We look forward to seeing you at our future events as we continue to celebrate our community and work towards making a positive impact.
More Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set?vanity=SADeafSG&set=a.887743436725007
SADeaf awarded Enabling Mark (Silver)
SADeaf won the Enabling Mark (Silver) as an inclusive employer and is on the honour roll. The Enabling Mark is a national-level accreditation framework by SG Enable that benchmarks and recognises organisations for our best practices and outcomes in disability-inclusive employment.
With the Enabling Mark, it means that we are committed to building disability inclusiveness. Presence of the mark signals that SADeaf is:
· Empowering: The organisation is open to hiring people with different abilities. It treats people with respect, and builds strong teams that leverage on different strengths. It values each individual and enables them to fulfil their potential.
· Innovative: The organisation adapts jobs and services to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. This allows for the development of greater flexibility, new insights and an innovative mindset.
· Collaborative: The organisation is open to different perspectives, and seeks to make people feel integrated, included and valued. Its focus is on achieving more through teamwork, not individual effort alone. It embraces mutually beneficial relationships with employees, stakeholders and partners.