September is Deaf Awareness Month and is an opportunity to spotlight the resilience, strength, and achievements of the Deaf community. It also serves as a platform to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with hearing impairments and to celebrate their extraordinary accomplishments. As part of this celebration, we highlight individuals like Luyinda Hindu Gloria from Uganda, who has not only navigated the challenges of her hearing impairment but has also become a passionate advocate for the rights of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), particularly within the Deaf community. 

“My name is Luyinda Hindu Gloria, and I have a hearing impairment. I lost my hearing at the age of three,” she begins her story. Gloria’s early years were marked by both supportive educational environments and the challenges of being one of the few Deaf students in her schools. 

This is a picture of Gloria smiling and posing for a photo. She has black braided hair and is wearing a red and white patterned dress, a gold bracelet, and a gold watch.

She recalls attending a school for the hearing impaired for both her nursery and primary education. While her teachers were understanding and treated her equally, she found it difficult to form close friendships with her classmates due to bullying. “Unfortunately, I experienced bullying, which made it difficult for me to connect with others,” Gloria explains. The situation was addressed when her mother acted by speaking with the Deputy Headteacher, but the experience left a lasting impact on Gloria’s social interactions. 

When she transitioned to secondary school, she found herself as the only Deaf student. “The teachers were extremely supportive and understanding, and I made a few friends. I didn’t experience any bullying, but I struggled to keep up with the lessons due to communication barriers,” she shares. Despite the positive environment, the lack of effective communication tools hindered her academic performance. This challenge led her mother to transfer her to Waskiso Secondary School for the Deaf, where she finally found an environment that met her needs. There, she completed her O and A levels. 

This is a picture of Gloria smiling and posing for a photo. She has black braided hair and is wearing a blue multi-coloured dashiki and blue jeans.

However, like many Deaf students in under-resourced educational settings, Gloria faced limitations. Her performance in the university entry examinations did not allow her to pursue a degree directly, but her determination never faltered. She pursued a Diploma in Social Work and Social Administration and excelled, earning a Second Class Upper. This achievement later enabled her to upgrade to a degree in Adult and Community Education. As she moved forward with her education, Gloria encountered a life-changing opportunity.  

“I was initially unfamiliar with Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), but a paid opportunity to join the Peer Educators Academy, organized by Reach A Hand Uganda, sparked my curiosity,” Gloria explains. Attending the academy introduced her to a subject that would fuel her passion. She realized that members of her Deaf community were often excluded from important conversations about SRHR, leaving them uninformed about their own health and bodies. 

“During the Academy, I discovered a passion for SRHR and gained extensive knowledge on the subject. I realized that my fellow Persons with Disabilities, particularly the Deaf community, lacked access to SRHR information,” she reflects. This realization ignited a desire within her to bridge the information gap by empowering her peers with knowledge. “I chose to pursue a degree in Adult and Community Education, seeking the expertise to effectively engage with and support my community,” she adds. 

Today, Gloria uses her voice—both online and offline—to advocate for the rights of PWDs, especially the Deaf community. “I utilize my social media platforms to raise awareness, particularly during events like Deaf Awareness Week. I also leverage opportunities from invited events to speak about PWDs and promote awareness,” she says. Her advocacy work is essential, not only in raising awareness but also in promoting inclusivity and accessibility for people with disabilities. 

As we celebrate Deaf Awareness Month, let us remember that awareness is the first step toward inclusion. Individuals like Gloria are leading the charge in ensuring that the Deaf community is informed, empowered, and heard. “Through these efforts, I aim to educate and inform others about the importance of inclusivity and accessibility for PWDs,” she concludes. 

Written by Lily Ronoh-Waweru, Strategic Communications Specialist