Deaf women get equipment for business

PIC: Juma Lubega, the executive director of Tropical bank speaks to the DWDG members. (Credit: Racheal Nabisubi)

KAMPALA - Women with hearing impairment under their umbrella body Deaf Women Development Group (DWDG) have received equipment including computers to help them tap into business opportunities.

They got five computers and printing material from Tropical Bank.

"Disability is not inability. Therefore although people with disabilities have limitations in terms of communications, there are areas in which they can be productive," said Edward Opale, a senior manager in charge of business development at the bank.

"The computers given to them will help design and print work which they can sell to get some money and become productive."

The group had pitched their business proposal to the bank in form of land, house and other materials to help them start up their business.

The financial establishment said it would continue to offer support and partnership to the group. "In future, we will give them business to print and design our work."

Juma Lubega, the bank's executive director, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) like the one operated by the hearing impaired can thrive given the right support.

"All it takes is having the right support, attitude and skill to thrive in any business," he said.

Peace Atimango was born deaf 26 years ago and chairs DWDG. She said deaf women get a lot of discrimination, especially in the job market.

She tried to look for jobs after school but every attempt ended fruitless.

DWDG supports women to work in small businesses such as book and stationery making and printing to enable them earn a living.

"I decided to train the disabled, more especially the deaf persons, to help them be self-reliant in areas such as graphic designing, printing and mixing colors among others to help them be productive in life," said Atimango.

She hopes the group expands into other ventures such as hair dressing, catering and tailoring.

She said that Tropical Bank's intervention is timely and that it will help cut the cost of production. "We have tried approaching the government for support without success thus resorting to private sectors who are willing to give us audience."

Ahereza Noah, Women Deaf Group (WDG) advisor, noted that the deaf are talented and hardworking.

Besides women, the group also accommodates few deaf men and boys who work in the same field.