by Dan McClintock, SIGNews staff writer
SANTIAGO, Chile - A massive earthquake on the scale of 8.8 hit central Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:34am. The toll of deaths in the earthquake was at first estimated to be over 200 and now it has reached 802. Asociación de Sordos de Chile (The Association of the Deaf of Chile – known as ASOCH), a division of World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), contacted with deaf people in Santiago, the capital of Chile, through text messages and emails and was relieved to find that those people were all fine. The quake's tremors reached the capital far from south, 300 miles from Maule, a town which is located in the Maule and Bio Bio region. ASOCH reported severe damage of their headquarters, which occurred on the following Tuesday night at 8pm. The Board of ASOCH met to inspect the site and was horrified by the sight of the damage to their building. ASOCH attempted to make contact with the schools for the deaf in the Maule and Bio Bio Region (which includes cities of Curico, Talca, Constitution, Chillan, Concepcion, and Talcahuano) in the south of the country but discovered communications was hard because they "do not have light to communicate over the Internet or via cell phone text message" due to signals being cut.
The Dr. Jorge Otto school for the deaf in Santiago suffered only minor damages and the schoolchildren are reported to be fine. Only the dividing wall in the patio was damaged and is being currently repaired. The house of one student's family was damaged and made inhabitable. The school is conducting a fundraising drive to help this student’s family. A group of professors visited the family recently and offered them lodging for the time being.
The deaf community in Chile is reportedly “sad and angry” that no sign language interpreters or subtitles were on emergency broadcast news on Chilean television. On his vlog, an interpreter named Meilton Bustinza provided interpreting of news and a speech by President Michelle Bachelet. Recently on Monday, March 1, 2010 the community presented their complaints to the government of Chile, which promised action. According to hear-it.org, Chile has no regulations on closed captioning. Closed captioning was provided on national television of Chile (TVN), and the public Canal 13 channel in 2005 as a result of the efforts by associations for people with disabilities and the deaf. It is estimated there are between 150,000 to 200,000 deaf people living in Chile. A website was put up to protest what deaf Chileans regard as “violations of their human rights.” (www.sordosdenuncian.tripod.com)
“We have been making efforts,” explained Andrea Gonzalez, director general at ACHIELS (Asociación Chilena de Instructores e Intérpretes de Lengua de Señas - Chilean Association of Sign Language Instructors and Interpreters),”to make sure on the 27th and 28th that the information on the earthquake and the tsunami was transmitted without interruptions on the television news.” She explained how she and other community leaders wanted to ascertain that interpreting services are included on emergency broadcast news and how that the TV channel networks and the deaf Chilean community agreed 7 years ago that captions would be provided and that the news of noon would have a sign language interpreter. “This request must be to the necessity of the deaf people to access to all the information that has been disclosed,” Gonzalez said, “especially because it is important for them to know and to understand what is happening in their country, in their region, whether their relatives and friends are safe, where to find aid, what are curlew times, what actions one should undertake in an emergency situation, and so on.”
It was requested verbally, Gonzalez explained further, through letters to offices in those areas that in these circumstances deaf residents be allowed full access to information. But, Gonzalez sadly noted, in Chile “deaf people could only count on one hour of news per day that is translated in their language and then have to wait the next day to access the news.”
The struggle for equal access, though, is not over. Turning to the public, Gonzalez urges, “We appeal to a principle that goes beyond the code in a law or agreement, we appeal to the value of humanity, that this is urgent, necessary, and vital to give them information in sign language.” Letters were sent and calls were made to dignitaries and representatives to remind the government of its obligation to fulfill Article 11 of the convention of the rights of deaf Chileans, which decree that emergency broadcasts must have captions and sign language interpreters. Gonzalez said that the community wanted to make sure the messages by President Michelle Bachelet and the national emergency department, run by Carmen Fernandez, include sign language interpreting as well.
But after 10 days since the tragedy of the earthquake and the tsunami hit Chile, the community remains dissatisfied with the government’s response to their concerns. Gonzalez felt that “the fundamental basic right of all deaf people has been omitted.” She could not understand how such a human right could be ignored. Nevertheless the organizations are continuing their fight for equal access in Chile.
On Sunday, February 29, a group of deaf community leaders came from Santiago to organize a campaign to help the deaf community in the south and met with the four schools for the deaf. Since the following day, Monday, March 1, aid was called for the deaf community in the southern regions. Progress is being made.
"So far we have good news from two businessmen, who will bring a truck and 100 cases of exclusive merchandise for the deaf in the south," said Alexeis V. Estibill, director of the South-American regional secretriat of Federacion Mundial de Sordos (FMS). "Some institutions, partners, friends and families are receiving money and goods." On Sunday, March 7, the Peruvian-Chilean Chabuca and Violeta Cultural Center and the Peruvian deaf community of Santiago organized a fundraising event where people could bring non-perishable food for the deaf community of the Maule and Bio Bio región. The efforts was coordinated by Gloria Pinto, sign language student of Professor Christian Muñoz, President of ACHIELS. Included in the aid were wooden beds, blankets, towels, shoes and slippers.
According to ASOCH, a group of up to 8 people travelled to the Maule and Bio Bio region to deliver the goods, water, medicine and other needed items, protected by security forces that were provided by the Chilean government because of widespread looting in the country. Included in the group were sign language interpreters and deaf community leaders. The group was called “Fuerza Sordos” (The Deaf People Force). The following organizers are Alejandro Ibacache (interpreter), Alexeis V. Estibill (deaf), and 5 deaf volunteers – José Villavicencio, Diego Manzo, Jorge Carvajal, Astrid Piña, and Alexis Carrasco, with coordinator Armando Contreras. Other organizations of disability rights in Chile are giving support to this coalition: CAISO, ACHIELS, UNIVERSO, PROYECTO SOL, CRESOR and a few more other disability groups. A bank account was opened for national and international aid for the earthquake victims. (see insert for information and address)
ASOCH is continually seeking donations or support from the international deaf community. Estibill said, "They are suffering from lack of food aid, water, communication and information from the state of emergency. The day before Sunday there were two tremors grade 6.2 and 5.4 and on Monday was carried out 25 tremors."
Commenting on the disaster, Gustavo Vergara, Secretary General of ASOCH remarked, the Maule and Bio Bio region “saw a destruction of almost 100% of their infrastructure by a tsunami. Food and water shortage has forced the population to carry out sackings in the destroyed zones." It was so bad that an 18-hour curfew was imposed in Concepcion, Chile's second-biggest city. President Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, ordered 14,000 troops to patrol the streets in the affected regions to keep order and oversee aid distribution. Recently 168 looters were arrested in the Maule and Bio Bio region.
Things are slowly returning to normal in Chile. Bachelet cancelled her publicity campaign to focus on relief work. She hands over her power to the newly elected President Sebastian Piñera on this Thursday, March 10, who promises changes in the nation’s emergency system and offers a four-stage plan for “reconstructing” Chile in the wake of last February 27’s earthquake disaster. The deaf community in Chile is looking with hopes to see what positive changes Piñera’s plan may bring them.
(traducción al español de Google)
Sordos chilenos frente a las consecuencias del terremoto
de Dan McClintock, escritor SIGNews
SANTIAGO, Chile - A massive earthquake on the scale of 8.8 hit central Chile on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 3:34am. SANTIAGO, Chile - Un fuerte terremoto en la escala de golpear el centro de Chile 8.8 en Sábado, 27 de febrero 2010 a las 3:34 am. The toll of deaths in the earthquake was at first estimated to be over 200 and now it has reached 802. La cifra de fallecidos en el terremoto fue en un primer momento estimó en más de 200 y ahora ha llegado a 802. Asociación de Sordos de Chile (The Association of the Deaf of Chile – known as ASOCH), a division of World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), contacted with deaf people in Santiago, the capital of Chile, through text messages and emails and was relieved to find that those people were all fine. Asociación de Sordos de Chile (La Asociación de Sordos de Chile - conocido como ASOCH), una división de la Federación Mundial de Sordos (WFD), estableció contacto con las personas sordas en Santiago, la capital de Chile, a través de mensajes de texto y correos electrónicos y se aliviados al saber que esas personas eran todas muy bien. The quake's tremors reached the capital far from south, 300 miles from Maule, a town which is located in the Maule and Bio Bio region. El terremoto temblores llegaron a la capital lejos de sur, a 300 kilómetros de Maule, una ciudad que se encuentra en el Maule y Bio Bio región. ASOCH reported severe damage of their headquarters, which occurred on the following Tuesday night at 8pm. ASOCH graves daños de su sede, que se llevó a cabo el siguiente martes por la noche a las 8 pm. The Board of ASOCH met to inspect the site and was horrified by the sight of the damage to their building. La Junta de ASOCH se reunió para examinar el sitio y se horrorizó al ver los daños a su edificio. ASOCH attempted to make contact with the schools for the deaf in the Maule and Bio Bio Region (which includes cities of Curico, Talca, Constitution, Chillan, Concepcion, and Talcahuano) in the south of the country but discovered communications was hard because they "do not have light to communicate over the Internet or via cell phone text message" due to signals being cut. ASOCH trató de hacer contacto con las escuelas para sordos en el Maule y Bio Bio Región (que incluye las ciudades de Curicó, Talca, Constitución, Chillán, Concepción y Talcahuano) en el sur del país, pero descubrió comunicación era difícil porque ellos " no tener luz para poder comunicarse a través de Internet o mediante mensajes de texto de teléfono celular ", debido a las señales que se está cortando.
The Dr. Jorge Otto school for the deaf in Santiago suffered only minor damages and the schoolchildren are reported to be fine. El Dr. Jorge Otto escuela para sordos en Santiago que sólo sufrió daños menores y los escolares se informan a estar bien. Only the dividing wall in the patio was damaged and is being currently repaired. El muro de separación en el patio fue dañada y está siendo reparado en la actualidad. The house of one student's family was damaged and made inhabitable. La casa de un familiar del alumno sufrió daños e hizo inhabitable. The school is conducting a fundraising drive to help this student's family. La escuela está llevando a cabo una campaña de recaudación de fondos para ayudar a la familia de este estudiante. A group of professors visited the family recently and offered them lodging for the time being. Un grupo de profesores recientemente visitó a la familia y les ofreció alojamiento por el momento.
The deaf community in Chile is reportedly “sad and angry” that no sign language interpreters or subtitles were on emergency broadcast news on Chilean television. La comunidad sorda en Chile se informa, "triste y enfadado" que ninguna intérpretes de lengua de señas o subtítulos estaban en programa de noticias de emergencia en la televisión chilena. On his vlog, an interpreter named Meilton Bustinza provided interpreting of news and a speech by President Michelle Bachelet. En su vlog, un intérprete llamado Meilton Bustinza siempre la interpretación de las noticias y un discurso de la Presidenta Michelle Bachelet. Recently on Monday, March 1, 2010 the community presented their complaints to the government of Chile, which promised action. Recientemente en Lunes, 01 de marzo 2010 la comunidad presentaron sus quejas al gobierno de Chile, que prometía acción. According to hear-it.org, Chile has no regulations on closed captioning. De acuerdo a oír-it.org, Chile no tiene regulaciones sobre subtítulos. Closed captioning was provided on national television of Chile (TVN), and the public Canal 13 channel in 2005 as a result of the efforts by associations for people with disabilities and the deaf. It is estimated there are between 150,000 to 200,000 deaf people living in Chile. El subtitulado opcional se proporcionó en la televisión nacional de Chile (TVN), y el público en Canal 13 el canal en 2005 como resultado de los esfuerzos realizados por las asociaciones de personas con discapacidad y los sordos. Se estima que hay entre 150.000 y 200.000 personas sordas que viven en Chile. A website was put up to protest what deaf Chileans regard as “violations of their human rights.” ( www.sordosdenuncian.tripod.com ) Un sitio web fue puesto en protesta por lo que los chilenos consideran sordos "violaciónes de los derechos humanos." ( www.sordosdenuncian.tripod.com )
“We have been making efforts,” explained Andrea Gonzalez, director general at ACHIELS (Asociación Chilena de Instructores e Intérpretes de Lengua de Señas - Chilean Association of Sign Language Instructors and Interpreters),”to make sure on the 27 th and 28 th that the information on the earthquake and the tsunami was transmitted without interruptions on the television news.” She explained how she and other community leaders wanted to ascertain that interpreting services are included on emergency broadcast news and how that the TV channel networks and the deaf Chilean community agreed 7 years ago that captions would be provided and that the news of noon would have a sign language interpreter. “This request must be to the necessity of the deaf people to access to all the information that has been disclosed,” Gonzalez said, “especially because it is important for them to know and to understand what is happening in their country, in their region, whether their relatives and friends are safe, where to find aid, what are curlew times, what actions one should undertake in an emergency situation, and so on.” "Hemos estado haciendo esfuerzos", explicó Andrea González, director general de ACHIELS (Asociación Chilena de Instructores e Intérpretes de Lengua de Señas - Asociación Chilena de Instructores de Lengua y Firma Intérpretes), "para asegurarse de que el 27 y 28 que la información sobre el terremoto y el tsunami se transmitió sin interrupciones en las noticias de televisión. "Ella explicó que ella y otros líderes de la comunidad quería cerciorarse de que los servicios de interpretación se incluyen en la difusión de noticias de emergencia y la forma en que las redes de canales y de la comunidad chilena sordos acordado hace 7 años que los subtítulos se brinda y que las noticias del mediodía habría un intérprete de lenguaje de señas. "Esta petición debe ser a la necesidad de las personas sordas para acceder a toda la información que ha sido divulgada", dijo González, " sobre todo porque es importante para ellos saber y comprender lo que está sucediendo en su país, en su región, si sus familiares y amigos están bien, dónde encontrar ayuda, ¿cuáles son los tiempos zarapito real, ¿qué acciones debería emprender una en una situación de emergencia , y así sucesivamente. "
It was requested verbally, Gonzalez explained further, through letters to offices in those areas that in these circumstances deaf residents be allowed full access to information. Se solicitó verbalmente, González explicó además, a través de cartas a las oficinas en esas zonas que en estas circunstancias los residentes sordos se permitirá el acceso pleno a la información. But, Gonzalez sadly noted, in Chile “deaf people could only count on one hour of news per day that is translated in their language and then have to wait the next day to access the news.” Pero, tristemente González señaló, en Chile "las personas sordas sólo podía contar con una hora de noticias por día que se traduce en su lengua y luego tener que esperar al día siguiente para acceder a las noticias."
The struggle for equal access, though, is not over. La lucha por la igualdad de acceso, sin embargo, no ha terminado. Turning to the public, Gonzalez urges, “We appeal to a principle that goes beyond the code in a law or agreement, we appeal to the value of humanity, that this is urgent, necessary, and vital to give them information in sign language.” Letters were sent and calls were made to dignitaries and representatives to remind the government of its obligation to fulfill Article 11 of the convention of the rights of deaf Chileans, which decree that emergency broadcasts must have captions and sign language interpreters. En cuanto al público, insta a González, "Hacemos un llamamiento a un principio que va más allá del código en una ley o acuerdo, hacemos un llamamiento al valor de la humanidad, que esto es urgente, necesario y vital para darles la información en lengua de signos. "Se enviaron cartas y se hicieron llamamientos a los dignatarios y representantes para recordar al gobierno de su obligación de cumplir el artículo 11 de la convención de los derechos de los sordos chilenos, que el decreto que las emisiones de emergencia deben tener los títulos y los intérpretes de lenguaje. Gonzalez said that the community wanted to make sure the messages by President Michelle Bachelet and the national emergency department, run by Carmen Fernandez, include sign language interpreting as well. González dice que la comunidad quería asegurarse de que los mensajes por la Presidenta Michelle Bachelet y el departamento de emergencia nacional, a cargo de Carmen Fernández, incluyen la interpretación de lengua de signos también.
But after 10 days since the tragedy of the earthquake and the tsunami hit Chile, the community remains dissatisfied with the government's response to their concerns. Pero después de 10 días desde la tragedia del terremoto y el tsunami golpeó Chile, la comunidad sigue insatisfecha con la respuesta del gobierno a sus preocupaciones. Gonzalez felt that “the fundamental basic right of all deaf people has been omitted.” She could not understand how such a human right could be ignored. González consideró que "el derecho básico fundamental de todas las personas sordas se ha omitido." No podía entender cómo un derecho humano podía ser ignorado. Nevertheless the organizations are continuing their fight for equal access in Chile. Sin embargo las organizaciones continúan su lucha por la igualdad de acceso en Chile.
On Sunday, February 29, a group of deaf community leaders came from Santiago to organize a campaign to help the deaf community in the south and met with the four schools for the deaf. El domingo, 29 de febrero un grupo de líderes de la comunidad sorda de Santiago llegó a organizar una campaña para ayudar a la comunidad sorda en el sur y se reunió con las cuatro escuelas para sordos. Since the following day, Monday, March 1, aid was called for the deaf community in the southern regions. Desde el día siguiente, Lunes, 01 de marzo, la ayuda se pidió a la comunidad sorda en las regiones del sur. Progress is being made. Se están haciendo progresos.
"So far we have good news from two businessmen, who will bring a truck and 100 cases of exclusive merchandise for the deaf in the south," said Alexeis V. Estibill, director of the South-American regional secretriat of Federacion Mundial de Sordos (FMS). "Some institutions, partners, friends and families are receiving money and goods." "Hasta ahora tenemos una buena noticia a partir de dos empresarios, que aportarán un camión y 100 casos de merchandising exclusivo para las personas sordas en el sur", dijo Alexeis Estibill V., director de la regional de América del Sur-secretriat Federación Mundial de Sordos de ( FMS). "Algunas instituciones, socios, amigos y las familias están recibiendo dinero y los bienes." On Sunday, March 7, the Peruvian-Chilean Chabuca and Violeta Cultural Center and the Peruvian deaf community of Santiago organized a fundraising event where people could bring non-perishable food for the deaf community of the Maule and Bio Bio región. El Domingo, 07 de marzo, el peruano-chileno Chabuca y Violeta Centro Cultural y de los sordos comunidad peruana de Santiago organizó un evento de recaudación de fondos donde la gente podía traer alimentos no perecederos para la comunidad sorda del Maule y Bio Bio región. The efforts was coordinated by Gloria Pinto, sign language student of Professor Christian Muñoz, President of ACHIELS. Los esfuerzos fue coordinado por Gloria Pinto, estudiante de lengua de signos profesor Christian Muñoz, Presidente de ACHIELS. Included in the aid were wooden beds, blankets, towels, shoes and slippers. Incluido en la ayuda eran camas de madera, mantas, toallas, zapatos y zapatillas.
According to ASOCH, a group of up to 8 people travelled to the Maule and Bio Bio region to deliver the goods, water, medicine and other needed items, protected by security forces that were provided by the Chilean government because of widespread looting in the country. Según ASOCH, un grupo de hasta 8 personas viajaron a la región del Maule y Bio Bio de entregar las mercancías, agua, medicinas y otros artículos necesarios, protegido por las fuerzas de seguridad que fueron proporcionados por el gobierno chileno debido a los saqueos generalizados en el país . Included in the group were sign language interpreters and deaf community leaders. Incluido en el grupo de intérpretes de lenguaje fueron líderes comunitarios y de sordos. The group was called “Fuerza Sordos” (The Deaf People Force). El grupo se llamaba "Fuerza Sordos" (La Fuerza de Personas Sordas). The following organizers are Alejandro Ibacache (interpreter), Alexeis V. Estibill (deaf), and 5 deaf volunteers – José Villavicencio, Diego Manzo, Jorge Carvajal, Astrid Piña, and Alexis Carrasco, with coordinator Armando Contreras. Los siguientes son los organizadores Alejandro Ibacache (intérprete), Alexeis V. Estibill (sordos), y 5 voluntarios sordos - Villavicencio, José, Diego Manzo, Jorge Carvajal, Astrid Piña y Alexis Carrasco, con el coordinador de Armando Contreras. Other organizations of disability rights in Chile are giving support to this coalition: CAISO, ACHIELS, UNIVERSO, PROYECTO SOL, CRESOR and a few more other disability groups. Otras organizaciones de derechos de los discapacitados en Chile están dando apoyo a esta coalición: CAISO, ACHIELS, UNIVERSO, SOL PROYECTO, CRESOR y otros grupos de discapacidad más pocos. A bank account was opened for national and international aid for the earthquake victims. Una cuenta bancaria fue abierta e internacional para las ayudas nacionales para las víctimas del terremoto. (see insert for information and address) (Véase el recuadro de información y dirección)
ASOCH is continually seeking donations or support from the international deaf community. ASOCH está continuamente buscando donaciones o apoyo de la comunidad sorda internacional. Estibill said, "They are suffering from lack of food aid, water, communication and information from the state of emergency. The day before Sunday there were two tremors grade 6.2 and 5.4 and on Monday was carried out 25 tremors." Estibill dijo: "Ellos están sufriendo de falta de ayuda alimentaria, agua, comunicación e información del estado de emergencia. El día antes del domingo hubo dos temblores de grado 6,2 y 5,4, y el lunes se llevó a cabo 25 temblores."
Commenting on the disaster, Gustavo Vergara, Secretary General of ASOCH remarked, the Maule and Bio Bio region “saw a destruction of almost 100% of their infrastructure by a tsunami. Al comentar sobre la catástrofe, Gustavo Vergara, Secretario General de ASOCH comentó, el Maule y Bio Bio región "vio la destrucción de casi el 100% de su infraestructura por un tsunami. Food and water shortage has forced the population to carry out sackings in the destroyed zones." It was so bad that an 18-hour curfew was imposed in Concepcion, Chile's second-biggest city. President Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, ordered 14,000 troops to patrol the streets in the affected regions to keep order and oversee aid distribution. Recently 168 looters were arrested in the Maule and Bio Bio region. Alimentación y la escasez de agua ha obligado a la población para llevar a cabo despidos en las zonas destruidas. "Era tan malo que una horas el toque de queda 18 se impuso en Concepción, la ciudad más grande de la segunda-Chile. Presidenta Michelle Bachelet, mujer primer presidente de Chile, ordenó a 14.000 soldados para patrullar las calles en las regiones afectadas para mantener el orden y supervisar la distribución de ayuda. Recientemente 168 saqueadores fueron detenidos en el Maule y Bio Bio región.
Things are slowly returning to normal in Chile. Las cosas están volviendo lentamente a la normalidad en Chile. Bachelet cancelled her publicity campaign to focus on relief work. Bachelet canceló su campaña de publicidad para centrarse en los trabajos de socorro. She hands over her power to the newly elected President Sebastian Piñera on this Thursday, March 10, who promises changes in the nation's emergency system and offers a four-stage plan for “reconstructing” Chile in the wake of last February 27's earthquake disaster. Ella entrega su poder al recién electo Presidente Sebastián Piñera en este Jueves, 10 de marzo, que promete cambios en el sistema de emergencia de la nación, y ofrece una etapa plan de cuatro para "reconstruir" Chile a raíz del pasado 27 de febrero de desastre del terremoto. The deaf community in Chile is looking with hopes to see what positive changes Piñera's plan may bring them. La comunidad sorda en Chile está buscando con la esperanza de ver lo que el plan de Piñera cambios positivos pueden traer.
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