She may be deaf, but Kimberly had decided after completing her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations in 2003, that this disability should not be a hindrance in furthering her education. After all, in her secondary school years, she was studying with hearing students.

So, after receiving some course counselling from her fellow Deaf friend, Anthony Chong, who was already studying for his Bachelor’s degree in Computing Studies, Kimberly enrolled in the Diploma in Computer Studies at KDU College, together with another Deaf friend, Foo Ruishan. They were the first batch of Deaf students in KDU College. She is proud to say she has graduated in 2007 with the Diploma.

The lecturers who were determined that the learning process for the Deaf students should be as normal as possible, had enrolled themselves in a Sign Language course.    They felt they wanted to communicate better with the Deaf students. Besides giving tutorials, the lecturers would also check frequently with Kimberly and friends to ensure they could understand the lessons and that they were comfortable at college. Kimberley wants to thank Ms Sharon Ng, Ms Deepa and Ms May Kang, for their pastoral care and commitment to teaching.

Friendly and sociable, Kimberly had adapted well to the college environment. “It’s a friendly, nice and warm environment,” Kimberly says. An independent learner, she would check notes with some of her classmates who would willingly assist her to ensure that she had received correct and updated information.

If there is an aspect of her studies at KDU College which she feels can be improved upon, is the provision of interpreters. “Perhaps, the government can work with private colleges and send hired interpreters to help Deaf students, who are keen to further their studies and have a career,” Kimberly suggests. “I could adjust easily to the college environment as I have used ‘Cued Speech’ since I was four years old and I lip-read.  Among my Deaf friends, I use sign language to communicate with them,” she wrote on my notebook.

“We just can’t hear, but we are as normal as everyone else,” Kimberly explains.  Married with a baby, she had met her deaf husband while bowling with other deaf friends.  Her leisure time is spent as a volunteer for the Deaf community at YMCA, Kuala Lumpur.

Kimberly’s hope is that educational institutions would offer high-achieving Deaf students an opportunity to continue with their studies and offer them scholarships or fee discounts. She also advises Deaf students to enroll in courses which they have a passion for, and if they are not proficient in English, they should enroll in a Foundation in English programme first. She says it helps greatly if lecturers can provide notes to Deaf students.  There are few Deaf students pursuing studies in Information Technology, Accounting or Engineering as many organisations are reluctant to hire the Deaf. However, many Deaf students have chosen the Graphic Design or Multimedia Design courses as one university college has provided interpreters in this programme.  One of the more successful Deaf Multimedia Designers is Selina, a KDU College employee who has a successful career, having graduated from a course in Creative Multimedia, with a major in Interface Design (interface involves flash application, website and product design, mobile design and 3D products).

Selina does not use hearing aid, nor lip read, but Kimberly stresses that co-workers are   patient and willing to communicate in writing to Selina. Such a co-operative environment will help Deaf people to succeed in their careers for their only disability is hearing.

It is Kimberly’s heart desire that Malaysian corporations would provide equal career opportunities for the Deaf.  Although she is an IT Diploma holder, she has not been able to carve a career in this field.  Kimberly finds that many organisations are still prejudiced in hiring the Deaf.  Through the recommendation of her husband, she has been able to find work with a building-material supplier company located in Ara Damansara, Petaling Jaya.  Her employer has kindly given her the opportunity to work there as as an Administrative cum Accounts.  Not many Deaf people are this fortunate.

She asks that they be given a chance.