Disability Rights South Korea Project #55481

Ensuring deaf people's right to access information

by Peace Winds Korea

Ensuring deaf people's right to access information

Project Report | Jun 8, 2023
Inerviewing Two Members of DeafNuri

By Nuri Park | Intern

Hello

This is Nuri Park from Peace Winds Korea.

Today, I will share the interview stories of two members sent by DeafNuri.

Firstly, let's talk to Jiye(a pseudonym), who recently joined DeafNuri this year.

DeafNuri: Hello! Could you please introduce yourself?

Jiye: Hello. I'm Jiye, a new member of DeafNuri from February 2023. I'm so honored to meet you.

DeafNuri: Wow~ Since February... What was your experience like working as a member of DeafNuri for the past four months?

Jiye: First of all, I have worked from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the office. I had a lot of fun being directly involved in the process of planning businesses as a Deaf person. Information access authority is an important right for Deaf people. I've particularly enjoyed learning how to defend their rights and how to work as part of a team.

DeafNuri: I see. What are the expectations of you while working for DeafNuri this year?

Jiye: I want to work together towards the vision that DeafNuri dreams of. Also, as a member of DeafNuri, I want to discover the small things I can do to make a positive impact on everyone, including the Deaf community.

This is the end of Jiye's interview, and Jiye's future actions are highly anticipated.

Let's move on: We hear from Youngjin(a pseudonym) who has worked as a member of the DeafNuri since 2022.

DeafNuri: Hello! Please introduce yourself.

Youngjin: Hello. I’m Youngjin, and I have been working as a member of the DeafNuri since 2022. I’m very glad to meet you.

DeafNuri: What did you do last year with Deafnuri, And what are you doing this year?

Youngjin: I was really busy from last fall until January this year because DeafNuri’s business and project were chosen by a project called 'TongIlNaNum'. So I filmed and edited the South Korea Deaf Summit videos. Although the work was very hard it was a valued experience. Since I have a main job, it is challenging for me to participate fully in DeafNuri. Nevertheless, I am trying to participate meeting or preliminary survey whenever possible. I am so pleased that DeafNuri made a remarkable progress so far.

DeafNuri: Do you have something to say to the DeafNuri?

Youngjin: I hope you do well! Also, I hope DeafNuri continues to grow up rapidly. Cheer up!

Thank you for reading.

Please look forward to the next Defnuri report!

Nuri Park.

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May 4, 2023
South-North Sign Language Travel Book by Deafnuri

By Nuri Park | Intern

Hello.

This is Nuri Park from Peace Winds Korea.

This week, we're excited to share the story of the "South-North Sign Language Travel Book" with our valuable donors!

This book was recently awarded the grand prize in the 2021 Peace Open Lab project sponsored by Peace Winds Korea. The book offers explanations of North Korea's major tourist attractions in South Korean sign language. It also includes video conversations in North Korea's sign language accessible via QR codes.

1. Can you explain the reason behind creating the "South-North Sign Language Travel Book"?

I created the book because i realized there were no travel books for the deaf. I was inspired by a German deaf traveler's stories about North Korea. This sparked my interest in the differences between North and South sign languages. The book aims to reduce these differences, promote reunification, and make travel easier for the deaf.

2. Can you tell us more about the differences between South and North Korean sign languages?

Despite sharing cultures, South and North Korean sign languages have significant differences, making communication without an interpreter impossible. For example, the signs for 'understand' and 'peanut' are different in each language. Experts estimate that the two sign languages only match about 13-29%, compared to 60-70% for South Korean and Japanese sign languages.

3. How do you gather information about North Korean sign language?

We obtain information through various means, including research from the Kyeore Mal Dictionary, as well as gathering stories from foreign deaf individuals who have experience with North Korea.

4. What changes might occur in South and North Korean sign languages if unification happens?

Both South and North Korean sign languages have unique strengths. North Korean sign language places emphasis on political and military terminology, while South Korean sign language has a broader vocabulary. On the other hand, North Korean sign language may be more efficient in certain areas. For example, North Korean sign language has a specific sign for "embassy," while South Korean sign language does not. Combining the strengths of both sign languages could lead to the development of a unified sign language after reunification, better serving the needs of the deaf community.

5. Can you explain the current plans and status of the "South-North Sign Language Travel Conversation Book" project?

We've completed 45% of the book project, with tourist attraction information converted into accessible language and North Korean Sign Language illustrations 80% done. However, obtaining visuals to accompany content requires significant budget allocation. We aim to publish the book in the second half of the year, supported by GlobalGiving and other organizations.

6. Finally, what are your expectations after it is published?

While the plan to invite North Korean deaf people to the WFD Congress in July fell through, we still hope to make it happen in the future to foster cultural exchange and bring the deaf communities of South and North Korea closer together. Despite travel restrictions, supporting this project is meaningful, and we hope it can promote cultural integration for both deaf and hearing individuals. We also aim to translate our travel guide book for deaf individuals into various languages to assist those interested in North Korea and increase understanding of its culture.

Thank you for reading!

Best regards,

Nuri Park.

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Apr 13, 2023
Barrier-free services by Deafnuri

By Nuri Park | Intern

Hello.

This is Nuri Park from Paece Winds Korea.

I'd like to share the fifth interview with Deafnuri!

The theme for this week's interview is "Barrier-free services" !

Q: Could you please provide a brief explanation of your barrier-free services?

A: First of all, I think it is a problem to distinguish between barrier-free travel and general travel. Barrier-free travel may be perceived as travel exclusively for individuals with disabilities. True barrier-free travel is more akin to "tourism for all," where both non-disabled and disabled individuals can participate together. This makes "tourism for all" more valuable than travel solely for people with disabilities. It is tourism that everyone, including children, seniors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and immigrants can enjoy together.

With this concept in mind, I realized there was a need for educational travel products that teach individuals how to respect diversity. As a result, I developed a barrier-free educational travel service.

For deaf individuals, having deaf guides is critical. Without professional deaf guides, deaf individuals can easily miss important information. However, no current company provides travel services for the deaf with deaf guides. Therefore, Deafnuri aims to solve this issue by providing deaf guide services. My hope is that this business will have a large customer base, ultimately increasing awareness of disabilities and encouraging the production of barrier-free content in a "positive circle." This, in turn, will contribute to building an inclusive society where everyone can be together.

Currently, we are preparing to develop a customized guide curriculum for deaf individuals. Additionally, we are planning an eco-friendly Jeju Olle Trail tour program in June. We are also discussing other barrier-free services and businesses, and we will provide updates as soon as decisions are made. Please look forward to the news!

Thank you for reading!

Best regards,

Nuri Park.

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