Phnom Penh: The Wesley Deaf Ministry and St. John Phnom Penh, in collaboration with Himawari Hotel Apartments, hosted the Deaf Awareness Conference on November 22, 2025. The event sought to promote understanding, inclusion, and communication accessibility for Deaf individuals in Cambodia, while strengthening collaboration between Deaf and hearing communities. Participants learned from Deaf leaders, educators, and advocates who shared insights into the realities, challenges, and opportunities faced by the Deaf community.
Deafness, which may be partial or complete loss of hearing, can occur due to accidents, infections, or various medical conditions. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that 430 million people—approximately 5% of the world’s population—require rehabilitation support for hearing loss. In Cambodia, over 60,000 people are believed to be Deaf, yet an estimated 97% remain illiterate, and only about 4,000 have been formally identified. Many Deaf children, especially in rural areas, remain out of school because families rely on them for labor and see limited value in formal education. As a result, countless Deaf individuals grow up without access to written language or sign language, leading to severe isolation.
NGOs working to locate Deaf individuals often encounter widespread misunderstanding. Villagers may claim not to know anyone who is Deaf but may point to someone considered “crazy” due to hand gestures or unusual vocalizations—later revealed to be a Deaf person who never had access to language. Misconceptions equating deafness with mental disability remain common.
Despite these challenges, progress has been made. More Deaf Cambodians are entering higher education, supported by expanded sign language services in universities. However, discrimination persists in employment, where Deaf applicants are often overlooked in favor of hearing candidates.
Conference organizer Lynette Lim shared the mission behind the event, explaining that her team—comprising both Deaf and hearing members—has worked with the Deaf community in Cambodia for 15 years. “We aim to be M.A.D.—Make a Difference,” she said. “Deaf people are not crazy; they are like you and me, simply without the ability to hear. Deaf people hear with their eyes through sign language.” She emphasized that despite growing awareness, major gaps remain in schools, workplaces, and communities, underscoring the need for continued outreach and training.
One of the conference’s highlights was the testimony of Ork Savy, a Deaf supervisor and team leader at Epic Arts. Savy, who began learning sign language in 2001, shared his journey from early struggles to becoming a leader in Cambodia’s most inspiring inclusive dance team. Through dance and community engagement, he advocates for disability inclusion and encourages Deaf individuals across Cambodia to seek education and sign language skills. “Education and communication are very important for our community,” he said.
Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Caritas Deaf Development Programme also addressed structural challenges. Hang Kimchhorn of NISE highlighted the ministry’s support through therapy, arts programs, and advocacy initiatives designed to empower Deaf students. Meanwhile, Sau Soknym, Director of the Caritas Deaf Development Programme, discussed persistent barriers such as parents’ lack of sign language knowledge and limited employment opportunities for Deaf individuals.
The conference concluded with a call for unified action. Organisers and speakers alike emphasised that greater awareness, inclusive education, and the call for employers to consider providing job opportunities to ensure that Deaf individuals can thrive as valued members of society.
Photo by: Supplied
