Dissa Ahdanisa's Stories

I love learning sign languages because of how diverse they are. Sign languages also use facial expressions, gestures and body movement. Although I am not an expert and nowhere near the interpreter level, I am always interested in learning more and more words in sign language. Since I am now in Japan, I have been very lucky to have several opportunities to learn about Japanese Sign Language (JSL) or 手話 (literally means ‘hand talk’!) while also shared my story about Fingertalk with local communities! 1. Hirumachi Nihongo in Beppu “Hirumachi Nihongo” is a monthly activity in Beppu to bring people of Beppu together. It creates a place where people, especially international students, can practice their Japanese language skill with the local citizen of this hot spring city. The gathering has different theme every month, and last year’s December theme was “shuwa” or Japanese sign language. I was invited by my Japanese sensei to come and share my story with Fingertalk. Of course

Last Wednesday, 16 January 2019, I had the honor to speak at TEDxAPU with other inspiring speakers. The talks topics range from mental health, self-esteem, social media to inclusion for people with disability. I had the honor to share my story about turning the values I am raised with and influenced by, into an idea that make a difference, Fingertalk. The best part is, I was able to deliver the talk in front of both hearing and Deaf audience. Yes, for the very first time ever, TEDxAPU offered sign language interpreters and opened its doors for our Deaf friends to attend! I am always curious of learning sign language of different regions and countries. Since I am in Beppu, Japan now, I am exposed to Japanese sign language more than ever. Thus, when TEDxAPU team contacted me to join the event as one of the speakers, I immediately thought of the local Deaf people, the Oita Deaf community! As I planned my talk to include how diverse sign languages are, how I learned so much from