This week the Youth Observer reached out to someone who has brought in a new inclusive light to the world of influencing, Nikita Deana. Today, she is a signfluencer taking social media by storm. She is a designer, artist, creator, and aspiring model.
In conversation with Nikita here’s what we found out:
Q: Why did you decide to become a signfluencer?
A: I’ve always wanted to do something for my deaf community. I’ve noticed in Sri Lanka there’s absolutely no content for deaf people and not enough recognition as well. There are so many talented people in our deaf community, and they’ve not received the right kind of opportunities to explore and contribute.
I’ve experienced that myself when applying for job opportunities. I’ve been on an Airtel campaign where they wanted to create awareness about my story, and I’ve continuously uploaded videos for my deaf community within our groups.
When Loops reached out to me, to be Seylan Bank’s signfluencer, I couldn’t think of a better platform to support my deaf community and to create awareness about sign language, so we can all communicate with one another without barriers.
Q: Tell us about your journey so far?
A: I’m a contemporary artist and I love incorporating art into fashion designing. I’ve worked at Barefoot and at LOVI for a short period, and I’ve also taken part in fashion designing competitions. But my biggest dream since I was a child was to become a model. It was always a huge dream for me to see myself in a billboard or a magazine.
I spent most of my time putting on makeup and watching pageants as a kid. But unfortunately, Sri Lanka is very stereotypical in picking models for campaigns. I’ve been let down too many times because I’m a petite person or there’s always an issue with communication. I’ve had so many people tell me that I could easily become a model, but when it comes to the actual job, they never proceed. The world hosts beauty Pageants for deaf communities and I believe wholeheartedly that being deaf is no barrier to becoming a model. It’s an art form and an expression that requires no words. I don’t think being deaf is a barrier to becoming anything at all.
Q: What are some of your challenges?
A: I think the deaf community faces a very common set of challenges in Sri Lanka. Whether we go to a store, to a hospital, any public place, communication is always a huge barrier. People sometimes don’t even try to communicate the minute they know we are deaf. We have no laws in this country that make the lives of the deaf community easy. Even transportation applications in Sri Lanka are very difficult to use for the deaf community. I have always needed help to book a ride because when the drivers call back, we have no way of answering. We need to always depend on someone because of the communication barrier and that can be frustrating.
I wish there was more awareness about our deaf community and the challenges they face daily. We experience discrimination, exclusion and lack of access to services in the community. The less privileged deaf community has minimal access to higher education as there’s no special higher education in Sri Lanka and there’s always a barrier. There’s never easy access for any of us resulting in low job opportunities. We need more qualified teachers who are able to teach the deaf community so we all have access not just to primary and secondary education but also higher education in SriLanka.
Q: What is the best thing about your career so far?
A: I’m very new to the influencer world. I received the opportunity thanks to Loops Integrated and Seylan Bank. I’m forever grateful for that. We have a huge deaf community in Sri Lanka and we also communicate with deaf communities around the world. I love to create awareness and inspire my community through my work.
I’m absolutely grateful with any opportunity I receive because that strengthens the faith that the rest of our community can also do whatever they aspire to do and they will develop the courage to be anything they want to be. Whatever I do, I absolutely love that I get to be a voice for our deaf community. As an artist, it’s one of my biggest forms of expression. It helps me express and bring my innermost emotions to life. No words can do that.
Q: Do you think social media is accessible for deaf persons?
A: I think Social media platforms are extremely useful for the deaf communities, especially during crises. During the pandemic, it helped all of us communicate with one another and support each other.
It also gives us the opportunity to connect with communities around the world and be aware of things happening around the world.
Social media counteracts the social isolation that is part of deafness. Social media provides a resort where we are seen as equals and there are no barriers in expressing ourselves.
Q: Do you believe influencers can contribute to the society at large?
A: Of course. If the platforms are used appropriately the influencers can be a source of inspiration and positive role models. They can always be a voice to the voiceless and create awareness on so many important topics that are either considered taboo or swept under the rug. They can help young people navigate social media in a healthy productive way and create important conversations that will support the entire community in ways we won’t even imagine. We must be mindful of the potential risks, but their ability to reach a larger audience to convey the right kind of messages carries so much more power.
Q: Who are some of your biggest inspirations?
A: I was so inspired by Aishwarya Rai when she won the Miss world title in 1994. I was only seven years old, and I remember how much it inspired me to pursue a career as a model. I also love the journey of Priyanka Chopra and how much she has done over the years not only as an actress but also as a philanthropist.
My best friend who is also deaf, inspires me so much in every possible way. He is carefree and has achieved so much despite being deaf and the discrimination that followed all his life. He rises above it all daily and does so much more to elevate not only his life, but those around him.
Q: Do you think your initial goal as a signfluencer has continued or has it evolved?
A: I’m at the very initial stages of my signfluencer journey. Just like Loops integrated reached out to me for this amazing initiative by Seylan bank which started my signfluencer journey, I would love to keep working with brands and anyone who is interested in bringing awareness to make the lives of the deaf community better. As the Seylan Bank campaign launched, I have a few brands who reached out to me and hopefully we can work together and create an impact in the future.
I truly hope with time it will evolve and I will be able to support my community and make them inclusive as they really need it.
They need that inspiration and support from all of us. I wish to start with children in the deaf community and start building their confidence from a very young age. I would love to motivate them and if possible, collaborate and work with anyone who can help me give them the access to services and education they truly deserve.
Q: Do you have any words of wisdom for fellow signfluencers?
A: Currently I am the first and I believe the only signfluencer in Sri Lanka.
It’s a concept that was introduced by Loops integrated and Seylan Bank which truly helps me reach towards a bigger goal of helping the deaf community.
I sincerely hope to do more work which will inspire more of the deaf community to become signfluencers and create awareness in every possible way. Together as a team we will be able to create more impact, create more awareness and break all the barriers in communicating with one another using Sri Lankan Sign language.
If there is anyone out there, who would love to become a signfluencer, please reach out to me anytime and I will be more than happy to support you work towards your goal and walk this
challenging journey with you. As long as we work together and strengthen our community and support each other, there’s nothing holding us back.
