Creating inclusive spaces for the Deaf community remains a pressing yet often overlooked priority. Founder of Yellow Owl and professional SASL (South African Sign Language) interpreter, Thuli Zikalala, has long been a champion for accessibility, empowering Deaf voices and challenging industries to rethink their approach to inclusion. Here, she shares her insights on what it truly takes to foster spaces where Deaf individuals can fully participate, collaborate, and thrive.
From the importance of mindful partnerships to the practical steps content creators and brands can take, Thuli paints a vision for a future where inclusion is not just a checkbox but a foundational part of every creative process. “
Collaboration is powerful because one can leverage on strengths, networks, ideas and skills that someone else has; and together we achieve more,” says Thuli. Affirming that potentially, any partnership has the ability to promote inclusive spaces. “It depends on the mindset and attitude one works with. Yellow Owl has been fortunate to successfully collaborate with unconventional industries; not because they are advocates for disability or the Deaf community - but because they were openminded enough to allow their craft to reach a forgotten audience, which resulted in spreading awareness of creating more inclusive spaces.”
Glamour: When you imagine a more inclusive digital world, who do you see at the table, and who still needs to be invited in?
Thuli: I think we first need to really understand and appreciate what ‘inclusivity’ means beyond a tickbox exercise. All spaces, whether digital or physical, must be clear of their role in achieving inclusive spaces, it’s a collaborative process that involves all entities to participate from the beginning and not at the end as an afterthought. Examples could be advertising and marketing brands, storytellers, and creatives inviting Deaf individuals to contribute ideas at the initial stage before the final product is released.
Glamour: In your work across media, corporate spaces, and events, what have you learned about the role of allies in supporting Deaf inclusion?
Thuli: As a professional SASL interpreter, Yellow Owl has endeavoured to highlight the importance of using skilled interpreters on different platforms and events to enhance an inclusive experience. We do not necessarily speak on the behalf of the Deaf community and make decisions for them, instead we empower them and challenge collaborators to shift their thinking to inviting Deaf people to participate in various media initiatives or events. Overall, the concept of inclusion is fairly new to our creative industries. Beyond the semantics, deeper understanding is needed to truly implement systematic change from the ground up.
Glamour: How can content creators, brands, and influencers work with professionals like you to make their platforms more accessible?
Thuli: When we know better, we do better. Yellow Owl would like to challenge creative industries to first reach out and consult with us on the best possible way to plan an event with a professional SASL interpreter, identifying suitable Deaf leaders for media interviews, or sharing research-based information that promotes a positive narrative of the Deaf community, linguistic and cultural diversity, and minority groups. The first step is to never assume anything. Collaborators should do the right thing of following the correct process - although longer at times, it’s worthwhile. As opposed to taking short cuts to save costs or lack of research done about the very community they want to impact.
Glamour: You’ve collaborated with platforms like CliffCentral to introduce sign language to podcasts. What made that collaboration work—and what can others learn from it?
Thuli: CliffCentral.com (now The Real Network) is made up of an incredible team of industry giants and creatives who are not afraid to take bold risks, and they are open to new ideas that challenge how things have been done over the years. The reason why our collaboration was such a success is because of several factors:
Timing - We started experimenting with the idea during COVID; it was a crazy, yet exciting season of letting go of control and really questioning our purpose of being. Who are we? Why are we really here? What can we do to add value to society through inspirational storytelling? This opened up a life-changing opportunity for us to deeply trust each other as we were solving the barrier of information access.
Vision - is at the heart of what Yellow Owl and our collaborators do, including The Real Network. Without a sense of greater impact that lives beyond us, fame, and money - we were committed to seeing the process through until the very end. Creative inspiration doesn’t always come to everyone; I believe that it’s embedded in a group of like-minded people who are connected by destiny to make a difference. We decide how to respond, to take a bold leap of faith into the unknown, or to live in fear doing the same thing over and over again.
Pioneering - Anyone who wants to pioneer a project or movement needs to embrace standing out from the crowd, taking risks and making mistakes, and appreciating the deeper calling of using ones’ skills and ideas to impact society at ground level.
Glamour: What advice would you give to organizations or individuals who want to include SASL in their work but don’t know where to begin?
Thuli: Contact reputable individuals, platforms or resources that are known and trusted by the Deaf community. Unfortunately, this is not always easy due to the number of new pockets of unvetted and unknown organisations that claim to advocate for professional SASL services and the Deaf community. Yellow Owl is a good place to start as we also offer consultation and informed guidance on the best subject-matter experts to contact for events, media interviews, research or collaboration. Generally, one must do proper research on which organisation to work with, verify online reviews and engagements, and if possible arrange to call or meet with the person before starting your project.
Glamour: Accessibility is often seen as an afterthought. How can we shift that mindset and make inclusion part of the creative and business process from the start?
Thuli: Absolutely! There is a difference between ‘accessibility’ and ‘inclusivity’ when trying to achieve diverse spaces where everyone can participate. The reality is that genuine inclusivity done the right way often takes more time and resources; it requires investigating and finding the right people who share the same vision to work on the project. While it’s very possible to achieve this approach; it needs proper planning, realistic timelines and the willingness to invest financial resources towards making it possible. Creative and corporate culture is a high pressure industry with very tight deadlines for delivering projects; unfortunately, this may affect the quality of the output product in order to cut costs or lead to compromising on sustainable solutions simply to beat the rival competition. Take time to follow through the entire process, have a healthy budget allocated for talent, resources and logistics, and invest in passionate people rather than random individuals for the sake of ticking boxes.
Glamour: You’ve worked with a variety of professionals—editors, designers, mentors. What has surprised you most about how different industries respond to Deaf inclusion?
Thuli: Yellow Owl aims to highlight and promote professional SASL interpreting services while empowering the Deaf community during the learning process. We have been fortunate to connect with industry leaders, individuals, and media houses that just get it: They get the vision, the problem being solved, the systematic red tape we are up against, and potential failure along the way - and still choose to continue! Our collaborators share a common frustration of working with organisations that are usually controlled by bigger industry players who refuse to try new things. At the danger of missing out on unique windows of opportunities to innovate and change communities; we express a deep desire to stand for a purpose beyond our own personal gain. Our creative brainstorming sessions inspire curiosity, remove underlying fear about SASL interpreters and the Deaf community, and replace it with excitement, trust of the process, and courage to step into the unfamiliar.
Glamour: What are some common mistakes you see well-meaning people or companies make when trying to be more inclusive—and how can they do better?
Thuli:
- Working and booking one SASL interpreter for a 2-4 hour event, simply to save money. - Not doing due diligence and proper research about a service provider, organisation or Deaf individuals before going ahead with an event or project.
- Assuming that the unique communication needs of the Deaf community are the same as other forms of disability- it falls under one umbrella.
It is highly recommended that 2 SASL interpreters work together for support, accountability, and sustained quality throughout the meeting.
Due to lack of research and information, companies usually apply international (often American) standards of sign language to our diverse South African context - it’s a terrible mismatch of cultural and linguistic context that doesn’t speak to our local heritage.
SASL interpreters are a communication bridge that guide cultural awareness between groups of people who have never encountered each other. Deafness does not necessarily fall under physical disability, braille or mental disorders - it requires reasonable accommodation for visual language accessibility.
Glamour: If someone is creating a podcast, digital series, or event and wants to make it more accessible, what are a few practical steps they could take?
Thuli:
- Consult with industry experts and subject matter experts who are qualified to advise on the best way to bring the idea to life.
- Involve and invite the very same community that you are trying to impact from the beginning. Don’t leave them behind and only involve them at the end when major creative decisions have already been made - it’s too late.
- Create value and not content/entertainment. Share meaningful stories and insights that will inspire real change in attitude, mindset and behaviour - beyond trends, likes and popularity.
- Be genuine and trustworthy in the process. Avoid hidden agendas that ‘seem cool’ for personal gain and fame.
Glamour: What does meaningful collaboration look like to you—not just in theory, but in practice?
Thuli:
- Like-minded people who share a common passion and vision to inspire change in society.
- Focus and determination to do whatever it takes to see the idea through.
- Willingness to step out of our comfort zone to experiment and try new things.
- Creativity and fun along the work. Although the work is important, we can still enjoy the journey.
- A genuine love for the people and communities we serve. Stay humble, open-minded and kind.
Recent stories by:
Thobeka Phanyeko
Motivation Monday: Start your week strong by embracing wellness practices that prioritise your well-being at work
Dr. Kashmal Kalan explains the emotional impact of hair loss and how restoration can transform your life
This is how you can enjoy this December without breaking the bank
Exclusive Q&A with the author of The Dating Playbook: How to Win at Mjolo and Love, Dudu Nhlabathi-Madonsela
