International Day of Sign Languages: Meet Rwaka, a deaf professional driver advocating for change in law governing traffic

Disability is not inability. These are the words that describe Parfait Rwaka, a Rwandan with speech and hearing impairment who is a professional driver earning a monthly salary. ALSO READ: New policy for people with disabilities to deepen inclusion The 44-year-old father who has been driving for 24 years shows great determination and dependability. He is an employee of the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD), a non-governmental organization bringing together all categories of deaf people in the country so as to address their social, economic, cultural, and political needs. ALSO READ: Sign language must be used anywhere for inclusive devpt – Rwanda union of the deaf The union was established in 1989 by deaf people with the aim of uniting themselves, raising awareness of their issues, and devising ways to address them. ALSO READ: Sign language in courts: What does it mean? Rwaka was not born deaf. He became deaf at the tender age of five when he was living with his parents in Uganda. “I was born hearing properly and speaking. But after falling ill, I became deaf at the age of five. That is when my struggles started,” he told The New Times in an interview facilitated by a sign language interpreter, in downtown Kigali, during activities to mark the International Week of the Deaf. The UN General Assembly proclaimed September 23 as the International Day of Sign Languages to help raise awareness about sign language and the rights of deaf people. ALSO READ: Plans underway to distribute Rwandan Sign Language Dictionary The theme for 2023 is: “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!” Although deaf, Rwaka tried to carry on studying, in primary school, in Uganda. Later, he went on to study computer science in high school, in Kenya but dropped out. After dropping out of high school due to different difficulties, Rwaka opted for driving as a profession so as to make ends meet. ALSO READ: Five challenges that people with disabilities need addressed He also wanted to become a mechanic but he could only learn a little. After dropping out of high school, he returned to Uganda to be with his parents. Deaf people can do so many different jobs “I continued doing driving exercises with support from friends and relatives who owned cars. In 1998, I acquired a driving license despite being deaf. I worked as a driver for 10 years in Uganda before coming to Rwanda,” he said. “In 2010, the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf offered me a job. This is the 24th year in my driving career.” It is thanks to his job that he was able to get married. Rwaka said that if only deaf people could get all the support needed, they could beat all the odds. He has 10-year old healthy son who is in primary five. Rwaka said: “Deaf people can do so many different jobs. I have never had a car accident ever since I started driving. However, when a police officer stops me on the road, I face challenges in communication because I use sign language which they do not understand. But after realizing my situation, the police often let me continue my journey. I drive in all areas of the country both in urban and rural areas. Currently, most of the police officers know me. Rwaka also worked selflessly to support the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf team working tooth and nail to make sure deaf people have access to accurate Covid-19 information in sign language all over the country in a bid to mitigate the pandemic. “As we mark International Day of Sign Languages, we have a lot to celebrate. But we request that sign language be an official language in Rwanda and promote different professions like driving among deaf people to earn a living. This will ensure self-reliance of people with disabilities,” he said. We need a change in the law governing traffic In 2021, Rwanda approved a policy aimed at promoting the full inclusion and participation of People with Disability (PwD) in all sectors of society. The policy outlines guidelines and spells out targets and priorities to address issues affecting people with disabilities, and promotes an inclusive, barrier-free, and rights-based society. The government, through the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), also concluded the production of a comprehensive Rwandan Sign Language Dictionary (RSLD). But for Rwaka, and others like him, there is still a problem. Rwaka has often tried to obtain a Rwandan driving license but failed because of his disability. He got the driving licence he uses from Uganda and every time it expires, he gets a new one from Uganda. He said: Whenever I want to renew my driving license I go to Uganda because Rwanda has not yet allowed deaf people to drive. We need a change in the [Rwandan] law governing traffic.” More than 300 sign languages worldwide According to the United Nations, sign language is a visual form of communication that uses hand gestures, body language, and facial expressions to convey meaning. Similar to spoken languages, and unlike general assumption, sign languages are not universal and vary from country to country. I studied in Uganda because that's where I was born, but I know Ugandan sign language, Rwandan sign language, and even international sign language, Rwaka said. There are more than 300 different sign languages in use around the world. Despite these variations sign languages share some common features: space is commonly used to convey information about distance and direction. Additionally, sign languages typically have their own grammar and syntax, which can be quite different from spoken languages. The UN recognizes the importance of sign language and has made efforts to promote its use internationally. On the International Day of Sign Languages, events are held worldwide to celebrate sign language and highlight its importance in promoting communication and inclusion.

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International Day of Sign Languages: Meet Rwaka, a deaf professional driver advocating for change in law governing traffic