Bridging Silence: Delving into the Unspoken World of a Delivery Hero

In the dimly lit basement, curiosity sparked as I encountered a delivery boy from a renowned courier company. Eager to retrieve my parcel, I initiated a simple query: "Do you have a parcel for..." accompanied by my flat number. What unfolded next transformed a routine encounter into a poignant exploration of communication barriers and a chance to delve into the silent world of a tall and strapping boy with hearing and speech impairments.

A swift retrieval of his cell phone indicated the uniqueness of our interaction; he could not hear or speak. As a blogger, I became interested in bringing attention to the challenges faced by differently-abled individuals in the workplace, leading me on an unexpected journey of struggle and understanding.

With hand signals and gestures, we communicated the basics. His phone number and name became the first entries in my quest to bridge the gap between the audible and the unspoken. Inquiring about his workplace, he revealed the company's name with a nod and a smile that transcended language.

Later, my online search showed he worked for one of India’s largest e-commerce and logistics service providers with over 34000 riders delivering orders every day. To register as a delivery partner, all one had to do was download their App, sign up with Aadhaar, bank account details and an Android phone, and you could start earning the same day. That was so cool, even a person with disability, (PwD), who could not hear or speak had signed himself up and was busy delivering parcels, earning a respectable income. On their website, I could see a host of benefits, like flexibility of fixed salary vs pay per packet, extra incentives for completing deliveries on time, and even provident fund, gratuity, and medical benefits. No wonder, his hand movements and his response time to my queries was quick and agile, as if he was on a mission. I felt like this was a custom-made job profile for someone like him, as he probably would not have to speak or hear, yet he would be able to excel in this role. Curiosity about what was the precise nature of his job, how did he go about accomplishing each task, and if there were any unmet challenges, motivated me to get to know a typical day in his professional life.

I was excited about inviting him to my residential county for lunch, envisioning a dialogue facilitated by our cell phones. However, what appeared seamless in my mind encountered unforeseen complexities. His sporadic responses to my texts on WhatsApp hinted at a potential struggle with language, prompting me to reassess the magnitude of our communication barrier.

Undeterred, I persisted, extending invitations and clarifying details. Yet, each attempt faced its unique set of challenges. The prospect of lunch and conversation dimmed as his responses became elusive. I got frustrated, but I stayed determined.

Recognizing the linguistic gap, I explored the possibility of Hindi as a medium. Determined to communicate, I fervently searched for how to type in Hindi script and then messaged him a "Kaise ho?" (How are you?) in Hindi.

However, the absence of a reply left me pondering the extent of his language proficiency. English, Hindi, or Telugu - which language could unlock the doors to his thoughts?

In a world dominated by text, his reliance on a mobile application – DEF-ISL - hinted at a parallel digital realm where language barriers could potentially be overcome. However, the intimidating prospect of immersing myself in a new form of communication raised questions about feasibility and efficiency.

As I grappled with the intricacies of connecting with someone who had possibly never heard or spoken words, a realization dawned - the depth of my ignorance. Could he understand English, or did he merely navigate through a sea of isolated words? How could I break through the barriers of silence and make our interaction meaningful?

The idea of a sign language interpreter surfaced, briefly acknowledged during our initial exchange. Yet, uncertainty clouded its feasibility. Could he arrange for one, or was this a mere expression lost in translation?

The pursuit of understanding demanded a commitment to learning. The prospect of mastering sign language seemed daunting, but where there is a will, there is a way. The silent world he inhabited beckoned, urging me to uncover the nuances of his life, especially within the context of his work and workplace.

Did You Know?

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. As per WHO estimates in India, there are approximately 63 million people, who are suffering from Significant Auditory Impairment; this places the estimated prevalence at 6.3% in Indian population. (https://www.nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=2&sublinkid=1051&lid=606)

In this unfolding journey, navigating the uncharted waters of communication, my determination stands resolute. As I continue to ponder, one thing remains clear - the journey has just begun, and the avenues for understanding are vast. The unspoken tales of the ‘deaf and non-verbal’ at the workplace await discovery.

A deep-seated desire to spread awareness about persons with disability and encourage companies in the business of e-commerce and logistics to provide sustainable employment to significant sections of society continues to power me forward.

Note: Several large MNCs in the e-commerce sector and companies in the Indian hospitality sector walk the extra mile and hire speech-and-hearing-impaired (SHI) individuals and provide them with an inclusive workplace, where they can thrive. Companies who wish to hire persons like this delivery hero can reach out to organizations such as the Deaf Enabled Foundation in India, Sai Swayam Society - Empowering the Deaf & Mute, and The National Association of the Deaf (India) that are advocating for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community.