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Communication Is More Than Hearing As September draws to a close, Deaf Awareness Month provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of inclusive communication in the workplace and why Deaf awareness should continue beyond the month. Communicating effectively at work is essential to creating a positive and productive team environment. Communication does not always happen through spoken words. South African Sign Language (SASL), written communication, captions and interpretation are some of the ways information can be made accessible to Deaf people. SASL, is recognised as South Africa’s 12th official language following its recognition in 2023. This was an important step in recognising the linguistic identity of Deaf people and the role of SASL in everyday communication. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), to which South Africa is a party, recognises the right of people with disabilities to seek, receive and share information on an equal basis with others, including through their chosen forms of communication. The UNCRPD acknowledges and promotes the use of sign languages. In the workplace, inclusion can be supported through simple everyday actions. Making information accessible, facing the person when communicating, allowing enough time for a response and being open to different ways of communicating can make a difference. Deaf and using SASL, Rita Eklu is a Social Auxiliary Worker at Department of Social Development’s (DSD), Gender Based Violence Command Center (GBVCC). As part of her work, she communicates with Deaf victims of gender-based violence, highlighting the importance of accessible communication in helping those in need. Eklu would like hearing colleagues to understand that being Deaf is a normal part of society and encourages them to learn basic sign language. She underscores that professional SASL interpreters remain important during meetings and formal engagements, while everyday communication can become more inclusive through basic sign language. Her message is simple, “sign language is beautiful. You can use it from a distance without making noise. Start learning.” She has found that information shared does not always reach her at the same time as other people, which can leave her feeling somewhat left out of the conversation. Even so, she enjoys working at DSD and values the opportunity to learn something new every day. Her message to the Deaf community is to “stand strong” and be proud of sign language. Deaf awareness should not end with a particular month. It is something that can be practised every day through greater understanding, accessible communication and a willingness to include different ways of communicating. #DSDPortfolioAtWork #BuildingACaringSociety #DisabilityInclusion