This is the abstract presentation of Dakshitha Wickremarathne, which was made as part of the 11th session 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights (#APCRSHR10 Virtual), on the theme of "Persons with disabilities, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Asia and the Pacific". C H A I R Abia Akram, CEO, National Forum of Women with Disabilities P L E N A R Y S P E A K E R S * Setareki S Macanawai, CEO, Pacific Disability Forum | "Transforming access to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services for women and young people with disabilities in the Pacific" * Tanzila Khan, Founder, Girly things, Creative Alley | "Connecting SRHR to Disability in new age of technology" A B S T R A C T P R E S E N T A T I O N S * Dakshitha Wickremarathne | We Hear You - A Sign Language Glossary on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for people with hearing disability * Srei Chanda | Does the issue of sexual health outcome remain unaddressed among adults after a lower limb disability? An answer through exploratory study in India * Shibu Shrestha | Experiences of young people specifically young people with disabilities in accessing FP services in Nepal * An Nguyen | Accessing Reproductive Health Care Services For Women With Physical Disabilities In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam V O I C E F R O M T H E F R O N T L I N E Phyu Nwe Win, Colorful Girls, Myanmar For more information on the session, please visit www.bit.ly/apcrshr10virtual11 Official conference website: www.apcrshr10cambodia.org Thanks

1. Dakshitha Wickremarathne
Youth Advocacy Network Sri Lanka
Dakki_16
November 9, 2020
10th APCRSHR
Virtual
Session

2. A Sign Language Glossary
on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
for people with hearing disability
WE HEAR YOU
November 9, 2020

3. Objective
Methods
November 9, 2020
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2
Summary Layout
Results
Next Step
3
4

4. Objectives
• To bridge the communication gap faced by people
with hearing disabilities in Sri Lanka them by
developing a sign language glossary
• To identify ways of using the glossary to improve the
access to accurate SRH information and SRH services
of people with hearing disabilities
November ,9 2020

5. • SRHR challenges faced by people with hearing disabilities (PLHD) were identified
through a national consultation and focused group discussions conducted with Sri
Lanka Central Federation for Deaf and National Deaf School.
• A professional interpreter was hired to facilitate the dialogue
Methodology November ,9 2020
• Based on data collected, a proposal was presented to Ministry of Social Services, and
with their approval a multi-stakeholder expert panel was appointed including trained
sign language interpreters and young people with hearing disabilities, to develop signs
on SRHR and finalize the glossary.
• The glossary containing 234 signs was launched on the International Day of Disabled
Persons under the patronage of the Hon. Minister.
• A group of professional interpreters were trained on SRHR through a series of ToT
programmes

6. • Identified barriers for receiving accurate information were weak
communication, lack of available information and stigma in health
service centers.
• From the consultation, out of 70 young PLHD, 18.0% knew more than
three contraceptives, while 42% knew two contraceptives. But only 12%
knew how to use at least one contraceptive properly.
• 25 (53.1%) males knew that through using a condom, they can be
protected from HIV where as only 8 (34.7%) females knew that.
Results
November ,9 2020
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7. • Interpreter faced difficulties in finding proper terms for certain
words.
• Interactive Workshop brought a success of 95% satisfaction.
• 93% gave correct answers to all the questions in the post test
• A Positive Voice from the community. (Potential Peer
Educators were Identified)
Results2
November ,9 2020

8. • Glossary is been used by several government institutions and one deaf school
providing services and information on SRHR for PLHD.
• YANSL developed a video module using the signs in the glossary to make it further
accessible
• British Council Sri Lanka joined YANSL to implement a pilot project in
Deaf School in Ratmalana to develop a SRHR curriculum for adolescent
girls using the Sign language glossary.
• Ministry has submitted a draft bill to recognize sign language as
an official language in Sri Lanka which will allow a deaf person's
access to education and services including SRHR without stigma
and discrimination.
Results3
November ,9 2020

9. Next steps
Let's begin.
November ,9 2020

10. In other countries
in Asia
Website translate to
other languages
Support efforts
in Rwanda
In other schools
November ,9 2020
Update the current
glossary with SLCDF
Next Steps

11. Let’s join hands to find the
missing piece….
November ,9 2020
Dakshitha Wickremarathne
(dk.wick@hotmail.com)

12. That's a
wrap!
Thank you for
listening and
happy to answer
any questions
November ,9 2020