PoM's Vision for Inclusion
DigitPaxM-23092024. - At PoM - Peace of Mind™ ... Happy Life!, we believe in creating a world where all individuals, regardless of their abilities, can fully participate in and enjoy our content.
With this in mind, we are proud to reaffirm our commitment to accessible content, starting with a special initiative in celebration of the International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL) on September 23, 2024.
A Global Celebration of Sign Languages
Each year on September 23rd, the world comes together to recognize the importance of sign language in ensuring the human rights of deaf individuals. This day, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2017, emphasizes that sign language is vital for the inclusion and participation of over 70 million deaf people worldwide.
This year’s theme, "Sign up for Sign Language Rights," is a powerful call to action, urging individuals, communities, and governments to advocate for the rights of deaf individuals, ensuring they have access to education, employment, and communication in their own language.
The date itself holds historical significance, marking the anniversary of the founding of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1951. This organization has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of deaf communities worldwide. One of its key messages is that sign languages are natural, fully developed languages with unique grammatical structures, and they should be granted the same respect and recognition as spoken languages.
PoM's Initiatives for the International Day of Sign Languages
To honor the 2024 International Day of Sign Languages, PoM is launching several initiatives aimed at expanding our content’s accessibility, specifically for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities:
-
Transcripts for Audio Content: Starting this year, we will provide full transcripts of our podcasts, webinars, and any other audio content. This allows those who rely on text-based information to fully engage with our content, making it accessible to a broader audience.
-
Karaoke-Style Subtitles: In addition to transcripts, we are introducing karaoke-style subtitles for key video content, allowing users to follow along with spoken dialogue in a visually engaging way.
This innovation ensures our content is inclusive not only for the deaf and hard-of-hearing but also for those who prefer to read along with the audio.
- To celebrate the IDSL2024, we are releasing today the first two transcripts along with an accompanying video each that features karaoke-style subtitles for enhanced engagement.
International Day for Sign Languages
- Auslan … the Australian sign language (Listen @ Youtube)
(podcast length: 7 min 15 sec. - Transcript: 5 pages, PDF format inclusive the list with all 106 references/sources (book titles, articles, science news etc. ...))
"Gratitude & Mindfulness: A Dialogue" (Listen & Youtube)
(podcast length: 10 min 31 sec. - transcript: 6 pages, PDF Format inclusive the list with all 33 references/sources (book titles, articles, science news etc. ...))
The podcast relates directly to our latest blog article "Gratitude in the 21st Century: A Multifaceted Exploration".
Expanding Our Commitment to Inclusivity
Our efforts to make PoM more accessible will not stop after September 23rd. We are committed to continuously improving accessibility across our platforms. By providing transcripts and subtitles for all future content, we are ensuring that everyone—deaf, hard-of-hearing, or otherwise—can engage meaningfully with our materials.
We believe that inclusion is an ongoing responsibility. With over 300 distinct sign languages used globally, including American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), and others, it's clear that diversity exists not only in spoken languages but also in sign languages. Each has its own grammar and syntax, reflecting the richness of human communication.
Collaborating for Change
At PoM, we encourage everyone to take part in advocating for sign language rights. We align ourselves with global initiatives like the WFD’s "Shine a Blue Light on Sign Languages", encouraging people worldwide to illuminate landmarks in blue to show their support for sign language rights. This act of solidarity, coupled with the International Week of the Deaf, allows all of us to participate in meaningful action for equality.
Daily themes in 2024 of the Intern. Week of the Deaf:
- Monday 23 September 2024 - International Day of Sign Languages: Sign Up for Sign Language Rights
- Tuesday 24 September 2024: Inclusive Education
- Wednesday 25 September 2024: Sign Language Advocacy
- Thursday 26 September 2024: Building Resilient Deaf Communities
- Friday 27 September 2024: Diversity in Deaf Communities
- Saturday 28 September 2024: Deaf Cultural Celebrations
- Sunday 29 September 2024: Investing in the future of deaf communities
Join PoM in Celebrating Inclusion
As part of our ongoing mission to foster peace, mental well-being, and inclusivity, we invite you to join us in this movement. Whether through our blog, podcasts, or social initiatives, PoM remains committed to breaking down barriers and ensuring that everyone has a voice.
Visit PoM's Inclusion Initiatives to explore more about our accessibility efforts, and follow us for upcoming announcements about inclusive content. Together, let’s celebrate a future where all voices are heard.
