INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION WITH THE DEAF IN THE METAVERSE AGE

Abstract

Tanjung Selamat Village is a village with a low disability level. Only 0.001% of the total population of disabled people is disabled. Interpersonal communication is particularly difficult for people with disabilities. However, technological advancements in the village have advanced, and the community is familiar with the term metaverse. The goal of this study was to determine the evolution of metaverse use for deaf people. This study combines descriptive research with an observational approach to provide a comprehensive picture of deaf people's use of the metaverse. This study included four participants: the village head, two people with hearing impairment, and one metaverse user. According to the findings of this study, the deaf in Tanjung Selamat Village have not been able to use metaverse to facilitate communication, but the seeds of technological progress have been used by the deaf, as evidenced by their use of an application to send messages as an easy way to communicate. On the other hand, there is great hope that technological advancements, particularly the metaverse, will reach all corners of the globe and be put to good use