Communication failures in healthcare can result in misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and loss of patient trust. For Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, these risks are systemic.
DCHI addresses these challenges through structured governance, technology innovation, workforce training, and national partnerships—ensuring that Deaf people are not excluded from life-saving healthcare services.
Why DCHI Matters
Our Mission
To eliminate communication barriers in healthcare by integrating South African Sign Language (SASL), technology, and institutional partnerships—ensuring equitable, safe, and dignified care for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people across South Africa.
Strategic Alignment with the Albert Luthuli Institute (ALLI)
DCHI is anchored in a long-term collaboration with the Albert Luthuli Institute (ALLI), aligning with its 10-year social justice strategic agenda. This partnership provides governance strength, research credibility, and policy alignment, positioning DCHI as a nationally credible and scalable initiative.
Through ALLI, DCHI connects healthcare access to broader national goals of equity, justice, and institutional transformation.
Our Vision
A South Africa where Deaf and Hard of Hearing people access healthcare without barriers; where clinicians are equipped to communicate inclusively; and where technology, policy, and social justice work together to deliver equal health outcomes.
Our Values
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Equity: Healthcare access is a right, not a privilege.
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Inclusion: Deaf voices and leadership guide our work.
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Dignity: Communication is central to safe and ethical care.
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Innovation: Technology is leveraged to remove systemic barriers.
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Accountability: Transparent governance and ethical data practices.
Social Justice & SASL Recognition
Social Justice & SASL Recognition
DCHI is grounded in a rights-based approach to healthcare access. The recognition of SASL as an official language places a legal and moral responsibility on institutions to ensure linguistic inclusion.
DCHI operationalises this responsibility by embedding SASL into healthcare systems—moving beyond interpretation as an afterthought to communication as a core clinical function.
Our
Story
Get to Know Us
The Deaf-Care Healthcare Initiative (DCHI) was established in response to longstanding communication barriers that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people face within South Africa’s healthcare system. Despite constitutional protections and progressive policy developments, access to safe, effective, and dignified healthcare has remained unequal for Deaf communities.
The recognition of South African Sign Language (SASL) as the 12th official language marked a historic milestone. DCHI exists to ensure that this recognition translates into real, practical access within hospitals, clinics, emergency services, and healthcare education.
DCHI is currently progressing through Non-Profit Company (NPC) registration and entering its national implementation phase, where partnerships, governance structures, technology systems, and programs are activated for impact.