Africa-Press – Namibia. RECOGNISING sign language and putting it on the same level as other languages in the country will not only help remove language barriers, but will also greatly improve service delivery and open employment opportunities for over 20 000 people living with hearing impairments.
This is the message of the National Federation for People with Disabilities in Namibia (NFPD) chairperson Matheus Nashoongo, who called on the government to consider implementing sign language at schools to cater to those living with such disabilities.
Nashoongo said this will also help when people need urgent assistance such as at police stations. He explained that once sign language is considered, it can solve communication challenges at schools, shops, churches and government offices.
Nashoongo said people with hearing impairments also face the challenge of privacy once visiting doctors or clinics as they often do not get proper treatment due to language barriers. The deaf face insurmountable challenges when they fall victim of a crime and want to report it but police officers do not understand them.
Namibia only has three recognised special schools for the deaf, namely Eluwa, NISE and Usko Nghwaamwa, and with demand remaining high but not taken seriously or considered, many people with disabilities are left behind, he said.
“If the government is using interpreters then that is evidence that sign language is a language. As they are to recognise Swahili, they should also consider sign language,” he said.
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