People who are hard of hearing still remain "excluded" in the EU institutions. That's the damning indictment of Adam Kosa. And he should know, because he became the first ever deaf MEP when he was elected in 2009. Born in Budapest, Kosa's parents are both deaf and he has not been able to hear since birth. He wanted to become a lawyer 'to do away with discrimination', but there was no sign language interpretation for his university classes. He made efforts, borrowing the notes taken by classmates, and realised his dream in 2005.
Even if he was doing his best for his clients, he could not change the social realities where the arenas for such people to work and live were limited. So when he was unexpectedly given a chance to enter into politics, there was no hesitation.
Although he cannot utter a word, he spoke through sign language to explain to us the many difficulties still facing the physically challenged. So, what are the practical difficulties he´s encountered doing his job as an MEP?
"Before my arrival," he says, "no one ever imagined that a signing deaf could be an MEP at all". No one knew how to deal with me. Some people tried to speak louder or others started to write everything down on pieces of papers.
Could facilities in Parliament (and Brussels) for people with hearing impairment be better and, if so, how?
Kosa says,"The fact is that the hard of hearing still remained excluded in the EU institutions since their disability is less visible but definitely not easier to be dealt with." On a recent visit to Tokyo, Kosa was disappointed that there are no deaf politicians in Japan. It makes his achievements all the more remarkable.
So what advice does he have to say for ambitious people who find themselves in a similar position to himself? He pauses and thinks carefully before answering, "Courage, strong commitment and persistence." Three words that seem apt for Adam Kosa himself.