IOM’s Commitment to Disability Inclusion: Empowering the Deaf Community and Promoting Sign Language in Iraq.
IOM’s Commitment to Disability Inclusion: Empowering the Deaf Community and Promoting Sign Language in Iraq.
By Haneen Mohammed, Senior Disability Inclusion Assistant
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Iraq has made significant strides in disability inclusion (DI) in recent years, ensuring individuals with disabilities, including the deaf community, have equitable access to services and opportunities. A key focus of these efforts has been promoting sign language (SL) as a bridge to greater inclusion.
Deaf-Inclusive Research to Shape Policies
IOM’s Disability Inclusion Strategy (2022–2024) highlights the specific needs of Iraq’s deaf community, who often face barriers to education, employment and social participation due to limited access to sign language. IOM has addressed these challenges by facilitating deaf-led participatory research and consultations with deaf individuals, SL interpreters and deaf-led organizations. This approach identified gaps in SL services across Iraq and provided a roadmap for improving access and inclusion. The results were used to advocate for improved inclusion policies in both humanitarian and development programmes. Visual learning resources were also produced to share these findings across Iraq.
Promoting Sign Language Awareness
To further advocate for disability inclusion, IOM produced several Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to raise awareness about the deaf community and SL. These materials address the challenges faced by deaf individuals, the importance of SL as a primary communication tool and how hearing communities can promote inclusion and respect for SL culture. By disseminating these materials widely in English, Arabic and Kurdish, IOM aims to raise public awareness about accessibility and the cultural identity of the deaf community.
A brochure spreading awareness on the deaf community, produced by IOM.
Deaf-inclusive capacity building trainings
A significant development in IOM’s DI efforts is the inclusion of the deaf community in a Bridge LMS training on the articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) . This initiative, designed to enhance the advocacy skills of persons with disabilities, had its first and second modules implemented in Iraq, with an emphasis on inclusion. The trainings provided a platform for deaf participants to learn about human rights-based approaches to disability and development, deepening their understanding of the CRPD and the SDGs. Deaf facilitators and participants played active roles, reinforcing IOM’s commitment to ensuring deaf individuals contribute to shaping and advocating for their rights.
A participant signing during a capacity building training on rights and advocacy. Photo: IOM Iraq 2023/ Anjam RASOOL
Ethical Interpretation and Legal Empowerment
IOM organized training for women SL interpreters in Iraq, focusing on confidentiality, impartiality and accuracy to ensure high-quality communication between deaf participants and the hearing community. It also trained deaf-led organizations and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on transitional justice and compensation laws, enabling them to advocate for their rights and navigate legal systems. Additionally, IOM made Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) trainings more inclusive by providing SL interpretation and addressing the needs of deaf women, empowering them to access critical information, report abuse, and advocate for their safety.
IOM has hosted various inclusive events that emphasize the abilities of the deaf community. One notable initiative, The Climate Chess Gambit, spotlights the strategic and intellectual prowess of deaf individuals through competitive chess tournaments. This event offered a platform for the deaf community to participate in recreational activities while challenging societal stereotypes around disabilities. By focusing on what people can do, IOM fosters an environment where deaf individuals can showcase their talents and thrive.
Another example of IOM’s inclusive approach is the Homebound Creativity: Exploring Art Amidst Adversity exhibition. This event celebrated the cultural richness within diaspora communities, including deaf participants, by displaying their artistic creations. With the provision of sign language interpretation, the exhibition was accessible to both deaf and hearing attendees, ensuring that everyone was able to appreciate the diverse perspectives and talents on display.
A young deaf woman from Baghdad participated in an art workshop which brought together displaced and host communities to heal through art. Photo: IOM Iraq 2024/ Ahmed KAKA
IOM also launched an inclusive Leadership and Empowerment Bootcamp for Women tailored for Persons with disabilities and accessible for deaf women. The bootcamp combined personal and professional development with physical fitness, teamwork and leadership exercises. Through workshops on self-advocacy, legal rights and mental health, alongside recreational activities, it created a supportive environment for deaf women to grow. This initiative addressed both physical and mental well-being, enhancing participants' confidence and fostering social integration.
A young deaf woman builds a clay sculpture during a teamwork exercise at the Bootcamp for Deaf Women. Photo: IOM Iraq 2024/ Yousif RAYAN
By prioritizing the needs of the deaf community, IOM is ensuring no one is left behind in its mission to promote equitable access for all. As these efforts progress, the focus remains on making disability inclusion a core component of IOM’s programming, empowering deaf individuals to thrive in their communities.
