Deaf Identity Revisited 157
the parliament, Antwerp was the only deaf club that mentioned challenges in
reaching out to deaf migrants; it is also the only one that actively debated this
topic. Deaf schools in the Antwerp region also shared challenges in dealing with
the cultural diversity of learners’ families. Possible “bridging” opportunities ex-
plored by parliament participants included organizing afternoon activities for
young migrants, supported by visits to their homes, preferably by a deaf migrant
representative.
Apart from intergenerational disconnect, making contact with migrant families is
the main challenge of Madosa’s deaf club, as its president explains:The growing group of children from migrant families, these are currently
60% of the population of the school nearby. These parents often don’t
know Dutch very well, and the school has a hard time in reaching them;
they use interpreters during family contact. These students often grow up
within their own communities and it is very hard to connect with them and
get them here. We had a few people coming over before, but they are not
coming anymore. There are differences of religion, culture... Also, we
are not familiar with migrants and uncertain of how to behave when they
are here.The abovementioned participant from Morocco, and the discussion in Flemish
Deaf Parliament on his contribution, illustrate the deaf migrant perspective; he
converses with Daniel on the practicalities of becoming involved in the deaf club.youssef: Hello deaf friends, my name is Youssef, and I have come here from
Africa. After I first arrived here, I didn’t know where deaf people were. I asked
at the school in Mechelen where I learn Dutch, but they didn’t know. Then
I started to look on the internet; I know some Dutch and I use translation
tools to change the information into French. So I figured out how to take
the subway and I came here. I am now in Belgium for two years, so I have
made some friends. I have come here a couple of times and I know that I am
welcome here.
PresidenT: But you maybe have other deaf migrant friends around; can you
bring them here?
youssef: Yes, I have a couple of friends in Antwerp and have asked them to
come, but they said no, so I just leave them. They have their own places for
partying. I prefer to come and learn Flemish Sign Language, instead of sitting
at home being bored.
PresidenT: But they can also come during the day on Sundays, when we are here.
They could come even for just an hour. What are they doing in the daytime?
youssef: Yes, I have asked them, but they are not interested. I keep trying, but
I can’t push them.
PresidenT (lAuGhs): Yeah, just once, maybe you should tell them that we all want
them to come!