“2023 Teens Dream – An inclusive world”
My dream is closely linked to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 10, Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 4, Quality Education. Although I feel that in my country, we are still far from achieving these goals, I firmly believe that my actions, alongside those of my team, can bring about significant change.
During my childhood, I shared classrooms with my deaf friend. Despite her efforts to lip-read and the use of a hearing aid, she faced numerous challenges in class. I tried to support her, but the lack of patience from teachers was always evident, primarily because we did not use the appropriate means of communication: Peruvian Sign Language (LSP). Unfortunately, this reality repeats itself in thousands of schools across the country, and the situation worsened during the pandemic with the transition to virtual classes.
I long for a more inclusive country that not only recognizes the rights of the deaf community but actively promotes them. Despite what many may believe, Peruvian Sign Language (LSP) is as complex as spoken Spanish. Although it is considered a language (backed by law), the Ministry of Culture does not promote it and has not included it in the list of native languages of the country to this day. It is essential to understand that sign language is not universal; it is unique in each country and can have internal variations.
Therefore, my aspiration is a society more aware and willing to seek genuine inclusion with the deaf community, and the only way to achieve this is by learning Peruvian Sign Language (LSP). It is not necessary to have a deaf family member to start learning it; at any moment, we may encounter a deaf person, and if we do not know sign language, we cannot communicate properly or provide the help they may need. In this sense, I dream of a world where every citizen cares about including their neighbor and wishes to communicate with everyone, without distinction.
Furthermore, I aspire to fewer prejudices, as often deaf people are not considered in the workplace or school due to the false belief that they lack the necessary capabilities. Some parents, not understanding sign language, force their children to speak or sometimes even prevent them from going to school. It is crucial to recognize that they are capable of studying and working like any other person, and this is their right. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are 72 million deaf people worldwide, with over 232,000 in Peru. However, 76% of public institutions and 83% of private ones do not offer educational services for the deaf. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people with disabilities do not participate in the labor market.
Likewise, I dream of a world where all spaces and objects are adapted for everyone. It is not acceptable that the Ministry of Education in my country only provides guides with images, which are confusing for understanding signs. Seeing more videos teaching LSP, programs with deaf characters would be truly representative and enriching for everyone. Finally, I wish that neither place nor time be an impediment to real inclusion and that everyone comes to understand that the voice is not the only way to express oneself.
This is a dream I shared with other young leaders, and a few months ago, I founded with my best friend the organization ‘Hablemos con las manos.’ Together, we strive to turn this dream into a beautiful reality.