Under the slogan “Nothing about us without us”, the NGO called Señas en Acción (SEA) or Signs in Action, held a sign language workshop aimed at breaking down prejudices and building communication bridges with the hearing impaired.

As part of the company’s +d program, we held a sign language workshop for over 70 people at the Neuquén corporate offices. The goal was to equip them with practical skills for communicating with the hearing impaired—whether in day-to-day interactions or emergency scenarios. Here’s a look at the experiences of those who attended and the dedicated team that brought this initiative to life.

Luis Lanziani, Supplier Development Sr. Manager and coordinator of the +d program's Disability Axis Allies group, points out that, “At Tecpetrol, we’re committed to enhancing employability for people with disabilities. It’s essential to stay on the ball and be consistent about the steps we take so that when they join us, they don’t face biases or barriers that limit their growth. This workshop had a dual purpose: to help us adopt habits and practices that improve interactions with those who are hard of hearing, and to ensure that floor leaders and brigade members are prepared to handle evacuations with everyone’s needs in mind.”

Anahí Barrera, a Training Analyst and one of the people who organized the workshop, explains how it happened. “A deaf instructor led the classes, using real-life scenarios to teach us crucial skills: how to ask if someone needs assistance, how to write short, clear sentences, and how to modulate speech for better understanding. The experience was really eye-opening. It pushes you out of your comfort zone and makes you realize that something as simple as speaking can actually be a barrier for some people. It’s about breaking down that barrier and building bridges.”

Esteban Grassi, PAD Sr. Manager and a member of the Disability Axis Allies group, says, “Learning the basics—introducing yourself, greeting someone, making a request, or offering help—is essential. But knowing how to communicate in an emergency is just as crucial. A deaf person relies on different cues to understand what’s happening around them, and at Tecpetrol, we’re preparing for exactly that.”

Katherine Torres, Security Sr. Analyst, shares her experience: “I’m 33, and it’s not that I was never interested in this subject—it’s just that I never took the step to really learn about it. But something really hit me when I heard, ‘we feel like foreigners in our own country.’ I’m a foreigner myself, but unlike them, I can communicate and make myself understood. That made me think deeply about what it must feel like to be isolated in your own community. This experience has been an eye-opener, and I’m truly grateful for it.”

Finally, Paula Delaloye, Accounting Analyst, reflects that, “The workshop was a deeply emotional experience for me. It wasn’t just about preparing for the possibility of working with a deaf colleague—it was also about everyday interactions and realizing that we can connect through simple gestures. What’s second nature for many of us, like hearing or seeing, can be a challenge for others. It’s a reminder of the very different realities people have to live with.”