Gaming resort operator MGM said in a statement yesterday that it has collaborated with the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO), the Macau Deaf Association (MDA) and the Guangdong Deaf Association to launch the Hengqin-themed sign language module titled “Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin Tourism & Hospitality Chapters”.
The module is also supported by the Guangdong Province Sign Language Association, according to the statement.
The statement noted that MGM has collaborated with MGTO and MDA since 2019 to co-launch the “Power in Our Hands” Community Outreach eLearning Programme of Macao Sign Language to “equip industry practitioners with barrier-free communication skills”. The programme has been enriched through the launch of the Hengqin-themed module, which the statement said is designed to “sharpen the industry’s sign language skills upon Hengqin’s travel information” and foster Macau-Hengqin tourism integration and inclusive tourism in the Greater Bay Area (GBA).
An inauguration ceremony for the module was held at MGM COTAI and was attended by a number of guests such as MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Huang Huagai, deputy secretary-general and director of the Department of Social Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macau, the statement said. The event also secured the support from the China Disabled Persons Federation
A symposium titled “Inclusive Tourism in GBA” was held after the ceremony, which had four guest speakers sharing their views on accessible tourism’s development. The entire event, the statement pointed out, had subtitles and sign language interpreters to accommodate the needs of audience members with hearing impairments.
The statement added that the Assistive Technology Resources Centre also set up a display booth to enable participants to learn more about assistive tools designed for people with disabilities, while an on-site inclusive MGM Art Tour Guide was offered. It was done in collaboration with a sign language interpreter from the Macau Deaf Association.
Those interested in joining the online courses can visit https://www.mgm.mo/en/mgm/gba_sign_languages_elearning.
This handout photo provided by MGM earlier this week shows officiating guests such as MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes (fourth from right) and Macao Institute for Tourism Studies (IFTM) President Fanny Vong Chuk Kwan (third from right) during the kick-off ceremony.
