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He noted that the association sees a wide variety of clients, including the deaf and hard-of-hearing \u2013 many of whom are seniors who need more accessible spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the deaf-blind who really need accessible ways to get to us, so I think all those reasons make it extra challenging,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
SADeaf serves about 1,000 people each month, offering sign language classes, interpreter services and training sessions for teachers.<\/p>\n
For now, it has secured a smaller temporary space in Outram where it will share facilities with the YWCA.<\/p>\n
\u201cA smaller space also means that we need to collaborate more, have more partners help us with spaces for classes,\u201d Mr Lye said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hold a lot of evening sign language classes, and that’s where our partners come in. Some of them have been very kind \u2026 one of our very close partners has been willing to give us some space at their centre for us to use for sign language classes,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Social and Family Development said that social service agencies, including SADeaf, were invited on Sep 1 to submit proposals to run self-funded programmes at available government premises.<\/p>\n
Proposals are being assessed, and unsuccessful agencies may reapply in future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n