Airport stakeholders at Mactan-Cebu International Airport learn basic sign language during the first “Deaf Culture Sensitivity Training for a Barrier-Free MCIA” spearheaded by GMR-MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corp.
TO improve relationships between the Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, some 50 airport stakeholders at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) participated in the first “Deaf Culture Sensitivity Training for a Barrier-Free MCIA” spearheaded by GMR-MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) last March 16.
GMCAC partnered with the Deaf Association of Lapu-Lapu City (DALLC) along with the Lapu-Lapu City Federation of People with Disabilities for the one-day training and workshop led by DALLC president Christopher Kit Amomonpon.
The training sought to provide information and awareness on Deaf Culture Sensitivity for a better understanding of and improving the attitude towards the Deaf and hard of hearing passengers and other passengers with physical disabilities.
Amomonpon suggested that the airport’s front liners including airline staff and customers service representatives ready a pen and paper when dealing with a Deaf passenger for easy communication. He also encouraged that there be more visual signages across the terminal and that instructions manuals are found at the Final Security Check so a Deaf passenger is made aware of the procedure.
He said it would also be helpful if the airport front liners learn a few of the basic sign language.
GMCAC Head of Corporate Affairs Estee Plunket said the training seeks to improve the customer service capabilities of airport front liners towards the Deaf and hard of hearing passengers including passengers with physical disabilities.
“This is GMCAC’s first step to making MCIA a barrier-free airport and a more inclusive place for people with disabilities,” she said.
Among those in attendance where representatives and training officers of airlines check-in staff, ground handlers, terminal duty officers, customer service representatives, security, airport government agencies, and other customer-facing offices.
MCIA is envisioned to become the world’s friendliest airport gateway that demonstrates the warmth and hospitality of the Cebuano people. /PR