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Raphael Domingo - Trainee Report

One-Year Leadership Training Report

My Views on Japan
The Japanese Federation of the Deaf
Sign Language Interpreters Training Program
Deaf Education
My Plans

My Views on Japan

Social welfare is the most popular service for the disabled and elderly in Japan. It greatly enhances the quality of life for the disabled and elderly. I am sure that disabled Japanese persons enjoy more productive lives because Japan has a barrier-free environment but there is still discrimination in the current society.

A rapid process of industrialization over the last century has turned Japan into one of the world's most advanced industrial countries. Japan is a country where ancient traditions and advanced technologies coexist to create a stimulating environment. The economy of Japan is prosperous and well developed and among the richest in the world despite the economic downturn.

I had a great opportunity to experience the world of Japan for one year, I have learned many new things from Japanese traditions, culture, language, values, hardships and people. I was impressed with the Japanese culture, values and people because many elements from past generations have been strongly preserved and can still be seen in today's society.

I chose to study three areas: The Japanese Federation of the Deaf, Sign Language Interpreters Training Program and Deaf Education for the important task of improving the well being of Deaf persons in my country.

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The Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD)

As a president of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf (PFD), I can say that the PFD has to make an important contribution to the social development of Deaf people in the Philippines. The PFD organizes seminars and conferences on sign language, education and movements for the deaf, management and leadership training. These exchange of information and experiences give a greater knowledge of the opportunities available for deaf people. This knowledge enables us to lobby our national governments to take the necessary measures to improve the social status of Deaf people in the near future.

The approach of the National Association of the Deaf in America has been marked by a long history of strengthening and emphasizing “Deaf Culture” and the linguistic importance of American sign language. On the other hand, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf approach has emphasised civil and human rights and the development of a strong welfare system for deaf individuals. In particular, the Japanese deaf movement would instead actively recognise the end of World War II and the institution of compulsory education for all children, the enhancement of political and civil rights gained by the deaf movement, the establishment of a lifelong social welfare system and the popularization of Japanese sign language.

I have realized that the PFD should urge the need for self-sustainability and economic feasibility and what I have learned from the JFD strategies is that they generate income from individual membership fees through the prefecture, kanto and city levels, from the contribution of funds from donors and selling sign language publications. These sources of funds allocate the expenses for the use of the JFD operations so that deaf people can play a productive role in society.

The management process of the congress has the clear purpose for its conference of offering a forum where information that can enhance the lives of deaf people can be shared amongst them. It is oriented by their needs and from the principles of equality. It also gives them the opportunity to realise the positive results of carefully thought out plans of action.

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Sign Language Interpreters Training Program

Japanese sign language is the most popular language studied by Japanese hearing people in Japan. The government initiated the “Sign Language Volunteer Development Program” and three years later it became the “Sign Language Interpreter Placement Project” and the “Sign Language Volunteer Dispatch System”. In addition, the government established the official sign language interpreter exam service in 1989. Therefore, the sign language interpreter service works at both the prefecture and city levels and plays an extremely important role in protecting the basic human rights of deaf people in such areas as medicine, education, occupational areas, laws and counseling services. On the other hand, the JFD hopes to establish a “Sign Language Interpreter Training Center” in the near future.

There are two kinds of level courses: Beginners and Intermediate/Advanced. The advanced level course is a new program for sign language graduates which was launched at the National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled in April this year.

The teacher did not teach the written word to sign to the students because the students should not rely on both written and spoken words. The teacher should have instructed the use of the natural communication approach on sign language to the students so that they could naturally communicate with the deaf people in daily lives. The class did not only focus on the understanding of sign language, but also on enhancing knowledge about the deaf community and the role of interpreter. Therefore, it would enhance the quality of many interpreters.

Deaf Education

The teaching method in deaf education is very interesting despite the use of the oral method in all deaf schools. When I visited various deaf schools in Japan I was impressed with the teachers who cater for the needs of deaf students. For instance, students are divided into two classes at same level for regular students and deaf students with multiple disabilities and the teachers spend two hours teaching deaf student with multiple disabilities. On the other hand, the deaf students have the great opportunity to learn vocational and technical skills earlier.

My Plans

I am planning to create a Filipino sign language video and book project after the result of a research study on the development of the Filipino sign language. This will help the Philippine Federation of the Deaf with the financial of their office space and day to day operations so that a greater exchange of information and experience will be acquired by the Filipino deaf community. With these supports, we can start building a better tomorrow, a better world where we work together to promote the rights of deaf people in the Philippines.

Raphael Domingo

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