Appointed Ambassador for Next Year's World Deaflympics
"Opportunities Must Continue to Expand for People with Disabilities..."
"Deaf people are no different from non-disabled people. If given sufficient opportunities, they can do anything."
This was emphasized by American actor and director Troy Kotsur while promoting the World Deaf Congress. At the ambassador appointment ceremony held on the 6th at the Pullman Hotel in Seoul, he demanded equal treatment with non-disabled people and pointed to William Hoy (1862?1961).
He was a U.S. baseball player more often called "Dummy" than by his real name. Overcoming hearing impairment, he recorded a total of 596 stolen bases in the Major Leagues. The coaching staff developed a sign system for smooth communication. This kind of accommodation for deaf players was expanded to the entire Major League in 1908. The rules were changed so that all umpires would use hand signals for ball calls. Kotsur said, "Sign language and Major League Baseball are now inseparable."
Born deaf, Kotsur has also left a remarkable legacy. Starting with theater troupe activities, he has acted in plays, dramas, and films in various roles. In March, he won the Best Supporting Actor award at the American Academy Awards for the film CODA (2021). Actress Youn Yuh-jung called his name in sign language and handed him the trophy, which became a hot topic in Korea as well. Kotsur revealed, "When Youn Yuh-jung signed 'I love you,' it left a strong impression on me."
Meanwhile, the World Deaf Congress will be held in Jeju Island next July. Hosted by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), member countries gather to share and exchange information on education, culture, arts, and sign language. Kotsur explained, "It is a place to build the power to propose policies necessary for the independence of deaf people to each government."
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