"Hear my Story": Federation of the Deaf launches new campaign
In its new campaign, created by Y7k, the Swiss Federation of the Deaf (SGB-FSS) showcases deaf people who are living life to the fullest and are proud of their language and culture.
At least 500'000 people with a hearing impairment live in Switzerland, about 10,000 of them are completely deaf. Most deaf people do not consider themselves disabled, because they can do everything - except hear. In the morning, a flashing or vibrating alarm clock wakes them up, the doorbell is connected to a flashing system, the mother calls her children via Facetime and communicates with them in sign language. Deaf people maintain their own culture, have their own language and at the same time are part of the social life in Switzerland. Their disability only shows in their interaction with their hearing fellow men.
There is a lack of understanding
Communication between deaf and hearing people is difficult. Hearing people usually lack the understanding for dealing with deaf fellow human beings. The result is an unwanted exclusion. Deaf and hearing people live parallel past each other, at the workplace, in the apartment building, in the restaurant or bus. "Hear my Story" is a campaign that aims to help hearing people develop more empathy for fellow human beings with hearing disabilities and at the same time reduce fear of contact.
Build bridges
The campaign builds on six portraits about people in the deaf community. A skater, a partygoer, a sign language interpreter, an artist, a futsal player and a teacher. They were all accompanied during one day by filmmaker and director Hans Kaufmann. Through his documentary approach, the director shows in authentic images six strong personalities who are in the middle of life. On the website Hearmystory.ch accompanying texts provide deeper insight into issues such as education, integration, the cochlear implant, the right to access information, and the demand for recognition of the language and culture of deaf people.
With this campaign, the Swiss Federation of the Deaf SGB-FSS wants to facilitate access to the language and culture of deaf people. Whoever listens to deaf people realizes that they live just like hearing people - just without sound. The films were made by Hans Kaufmann. The campaign was conceived by the Zurich agency Y7K, which, in addition to the thematic focus, also defined the tonality and implemented the website.
Responsible at the Swiss Federation of the Deaf SGB-FSS: Roland Wagner, Martina Raschle, Conradin Zellweger. Responsible at Y7K: Ruben Feurer, Samuel Alder, Yves Sinka. Films: Hans Kaufmann.
