Speech and Hearing: A Superpower for All

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GENERAL POSTER -NSLHM 2025 (1)

“Speech and Hearing: A Superpower for All” – Art, Advocacy, and Inclusion Take Center Stage in National Speech, Language, and Hearing Month

Kuala Lumpur, May 2025 – Every voice deserves to be heard. Every child and every family navigating speech, language, or hearing challenges deserves a chance to connect and thrive. This May, the Speech-Language Students’ Association (SpeLSA) of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) brings the National Speech, Language, and Hearing Month (NSLHM) 2025 to life with a powerful and inclusive theme: “Speech and Hearing: A Superpower for All.”

Despite an increase in awareness efforts nationwide, communication disorders remain poorly understood, and resources are critically limited. The urgency is clear; at the UKM Speech Sciences Clinic alone, all speech-language therapy slots for 2025 were fully booked as early as January, with 30 – 40 new cases registered monthly. Families wait, children struggle to express themselves, and access remains out of reach for many. “This event reminds us that every voice matters, and that expression—through speech, art, or sign—is a powerful beginning and a first step toward inclusion”, says Dr. Hasherah Mohd Ibrahim, senior lecturer and SPELSA UKM advisor.

This year’s celebration takes a bold and heartfelt approach by spotlighting art as a universal language for healing, inclusion, and empowerment. The flagship event, Communication Through Art, is co-hosted with the National Art Gallery and will bring together over 50 children with special needs, 30 teenagers, their families, and more than 100 students from UKM’s Faculty of Health Sciences. The event will feature sharing sessions, exhibitions, and live workshops. At the heart of this celebration is the spirit of inclusion. Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) will ensure deaf participants are fully included, reaffirming that communication doesn’t rely solely on speech. Mr. Lim Annuar, Malaysia’s first professional deaf artist, will lead an interactive art session alongside Mr. Uneh, known as “Raja Pensel Warna” for his iconic colored pencil artworks. These artists bring unique perspectives that affirm how powerful non-verbal expression can be.

The event will be officially opened by Prof. Dr. Suzana Shahar, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM, alongside Mr. Baktiar Naim Jaaffar, Director of Media and Arts Development Department of the National Art Gallery. They will be joined by Datin Dr. Raihanah Abdullah, Chair of PUSPANITA, the Head of Audiology Program; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Alaudin Abdul Wahab, Dr. Badrulzaman Abdul Hamid, Head of Speech Sciences Program and Mr. Lee Jia Le; Year 2 UKM speech sciences student as well as the program director. Their presence reflects a united commitment to advancing awareness, inclusivity, and support for communication health. Partner organizations such as Cleft Lip and Palate Association of Malaysia (CLAPAM), Malaysia Federation of the Deaf (MFD), Autism Cafe Project, Kidsogenius Child Development Centre, Pacific Speech Therapy and Learning Centre and Audiology Club, UKM will offer insights and hands-on activities, further enriching the day.

NSLHM 2025 is made possible by generous support from GoodMorning Global, Adabi Consumer Industries, Pacific Speech Therapy and Learning Centre, Cooltopia, Malaysian Association of Speech and Hearing (MASH) and FGV Holdings Berhad, Speechaus Resources, Gardenia and 20 dB Hearing. Their commitment reflects a collective belief in building a more expressive and compassionate Malaysia where speech and hearing truly are superpowers for all.