A portrait of the Barbados deaf community
In 2021, Deaf Mosaic collaborated with Audiovisability and the Barbados Council for Disabled People on the Calypso project. It drew on music, performance and photography to give the Bajan deaf community a voice and a greater say in their country’s affairs.
Deaf Mosaic made 13 portraits of deaf Bajans and explored the challenges they face and dreams for the future. Here is a selection of the images and stories.
Maude White
“For my portrait, I’m demonstrating the sign language for ‘rights’ because too many deaf people are denied their human right to a good education and career. I’m proud of how Barbados has moved forwards since independence, but it has not carried deaf people with it. The deaf community is still stuck where it was 50 years ago.”
I have a dream: “I’d like to see all hearing school teachers and children being taught sign language too. So when those children grow up as adults, they would be able to sign to us deaf people – in the streets, shops, businesses, services – for the rest of their lives. It would be a win-win for everyone! If we did this we could be a model for the rest of the world to follow too.”
Maude works in HR for National Petroleum Corporation.
Dario Nightengale
“When I finished school, they just gave us deaf students a ‘certificate of attendance’ with zero qualifications on it. The teachers were not interested in finding out what we deaf pupils were good at. We were taught the same things over and over again, like we were idiots. My true education only started after I left school.”
I have a dream: “For my portrait, I’m at the Freedom Park’s Builders of Barbados Wall and gazing at my family’s Nightengale surname. Because as a deaf person, I also want to play a part in building my country’s future. To do that I need access via sign language interpreters to opportunities to learn new skills. For example, I’d love to learn to how drive a truck so I could help with Barbados’ hurricane relief efforts.”
Dario currently runs D-Scope – a deaf-led videography business.
Sandra Belgrave White
“I made my own Deaf Ability t-shirt because I want to tell the world to see deaf people’s abilities – not our disabilities. It is not deafness itself that disables people, but the barriers in hearing society which frustrate us.”
I have a dream: I want to be a professionally-qualified life coach and counsellor. As a member of the Bajan deaf community, I’m too often contacted by people with mental health issues after being dis-empowered by their families, schools, workplaces and public services. I’d use my life experience to give deaf clients the tools to grow their confidence and be more self-reliant.”
Anton Pile
“I’m the first deaf leader in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. I believe God made us deaf and hearing people equal to each other. We are all precious in God’s eyes. It is not God who discriminates against deaf people, it is people – hearing people. For two years, I cared for my grandmother who had dementia. She has now passed away but I was glad to have given her the opportunity to live at home – rather than go into a nursing home.”
I have a dream: “In my 40s, I still feel I have so many unfulfilled talents. I love bakery. If I’m bored I make cheesecake, chocolate cake, lemon cake. I’d love to set up my own bakery and deliver to shops and homes. It doesn’t matter that I’m deaf – with the right support I know I can do it. I just need a fair opportunity to learn the skills to run a business.”
Alicia Mitchell
“For my portrait, I’m at Rockley Beach and watching the beautiful waves crash onto the shore. I’m also gazing into the future, and I’m unsure what I see there. I love Barbados, but I’ve been long-term unemployed for so many years. I like being outdoors and enjoying nature, but I desperately want to work too. I’m willing to try anything if people give me a chance. Recently, I attended the Deaf Heart Gardening Project and learnt new skills. But due to COVID and other issues, I’ve not been able to find work yet.”
I have a dream: “I’m outgoing, friendly and empathetic. I enjoy bringing people together, so my dream would be to set up my own event planning business. To enable clients to plan weddings, baby shower events and birthday parties. It makes me happy to see others enjoying themselves.”
Alicia looks after her son and is seeking work.
Shawn Lewis
“I work for a major industrial quarry that crushes, processes and washes tiny rock particles that are later used to make concrete and other products. My tasks as a general worker are to help keep the site clean and efficient. In my spare time, I love ballroom dancing and I travel all over Barbados to take part in local competitions and festivals.”
I have a dream: “I now have lots of experience with construction work and operating machinery. One day in the future, I want to have my own truck and bobcat business. I would like to buy my own home, travel the world and continue to dance. I’m deaf but why can’t I have a fair chance to fulfil my dreams like anyone else!?”
The Barbados portraits were commissioned by Ruth Montgomery of Audiovisability in collaboration with the Barbados Council of Disabled People.
The full set of 13 portraits of Bajan deaf people is available to view online at Audiovisability’s Calypso website.
