Tawau: The Society for the Deaf here has changed its name to 'Centre for the Deaf and Disabled Children' as it also accommodates those with other special needs.
In fact, these children have outnumbered the deaf children by more than 85 per cent.
This is the result of people's efforts to approach the Chairman, Dr Lo Vun Kong, and requests to cater to those with other special needs.
As its prior name suggests, Society for the Deaf Tawau reflects the initial intention of the association, which is to cater to children who are auditory impaired/challenged or deaf.
Now, a new signage which reads 'Centre for the Deaf and Disabled Children' has been put up along Jalan Kuhara at the entrance which leads to the school.
In 1986, the classes were first started at Taska Lok Yuk classrooms at Jalan Masjid before moving to the single-storey building at Mile 2Þ, Jalan Kuhara, Taman Lim Den Choi, in 1996.
From the very first day the children joined the centre, they came to know that although there are various symptoms of special needs, they are part of one society.
Outings and regular visits are approved so that everyone, including parents, may join and mingle around.
As their challenge is auditory and not intellectual, they are guided in their studies using sign language on a daily basis according to the government syllabus for primary school.
They start school at 7.30am and go back at 12.30pm on Monday; 3.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Since Friday is the prayer day for Muslims, school is off at 11.30am.
The society's dream is to see that after sitting for their UPSR examination, they may transit smoothly to secondary school in Kota Kinabalu up to Form 3 and proceed up to Form 5 in Penang and eventually enter university one day.
