I observe a big difference in the environment for the auditory challenged between Japan and Pakistan. On my return to Pakistan, I would like to initiate many activities to improve the living conditions for the auditorily challenged in Pakistan.

During my individual training from September, 1999, I am most surprised at seeing that the auditorily challenged in Japan are actively participating in society and are leading independent lives. The use of well-developed communication tools and ready access to many welfare-related projects encourage active participation and independent living for the auditorily challenged. In Pakistan there are many people who can not live independently because of their hearing impairment. I believe that technology helps the auditorily challenged live independently in Japan.

The auditorily challenged in Pakistan are less active than those in Japan. I believe one of the reasons for this is the due to the lack of information. In order to live independently, it is necessary to have an occupation and earn one’s living. For this purpose, the schools for the auditorily challenged in Japan offer specialized courses to acquire professional techniques/skills.

I had received training in a specialized course in surburban area near Tokyo. I was impressed to know that there were many such courses available in Japan. In Pakistan, there are usually about three courses. I think the ready availability of specialized training is the reason why there is such a big difference in the vocational opportunities for the auditorily challenged in Japan than for those in Pakistan.

I was also impressed by the great number of interpreters of sign language. In Pakistan activities by the auditorily challenged are quite limited because of the shortage of sign language interpreters. Even if people with hearing impairment want to work in a group to make appeals to the government, discussions cannot be smoothly conducted without the help of sign language interpreters. I think it is wonderful that sign language interpreters are are available for lectures and meetings, and they can dispatched to hospitals and banks in Japan. With development of more sign language interpreters in Pakistan, the scope of the activities for the auditorily challenged will be expended.

On my own return I would first like to inform auditorily challenged in Pakistan of all that I had learned in Japan. Because I did not know how the auditorily challenged live in the other countries, I had not even questioned the situation I faced in my country. I hope my future activities to talk about what I had learned will serve as a kind of stimulus for people with hearing impairment in Pakistan to seek and make more opportunities for themselves.