It was a strikingly quiet quiz contest. While agitated cries, race for microphones, and shrieks of the buzzer are synonymous with quizzes, the one at Bishop Heber School, Teppakulam, recently was conspicuous by silence as hearing impaired children wrote down answers, held up cards with alphabets, and explained with gestures.
At the contests held in connection with 55 International Week of the Deaf, around 300 hearing impaired children from schools for deaf in Tiruchi found different mediums to communicate including a canvas where colours spelt their emotions.
A painting contest titled ‘colours of silence’ turned out to be an opportunity for hearing impaired children to freely play with colours and enjoy themselves. The contest was conducted by Deaf Enabled Foundation, an organisation based in South India, run by hearing impaired for hearing impaired. The organisation works for equal access, educational facilities, social cultural awareness and barrier free communication for hearing impaired. Both painting and quiz contests held under junior and senior categories were planned to stimulate artistic and intellectual growth, said M.Ramya, director-communications. The event provided the children with a platform to compete, something elusive to them. The contests were followed by an award giving ceremony, ‘friendship evening’ and cultural show where children showcased talents. The Helen Keller awards were presented to winners of contests and best volunteers.
