The Abia State Deaf Association (ABSDA) has urged the state government to employ language interpreters in all its establishments, including hospitals, police stations and other public institutions.
The ABSDA Chairman, Mr Emenike Amakwe, made the request on Tuesday when the association celebrated the International Week of the Deaf in Umuahia.
He said that the reason was to ensure equal access to information and services for deaf individuals.
Amakwe commended Gov. Alex Otti-led administration for employing a sign language interpreter in the Government House, saying that it demonstrated its commitment to inclusivity.
The chairman called for the introduction of sign language in all public schools to promote inclusivity and equal access to education.
Amakwe also demanded the establishment of boarding secondary school for deaf students by rehabilitating, renovating and reconstructing any existing one in the state.
He equally pushed for free secondary education for members, “just as is offered to blind and non-disabled students.”
Amakwe, a board member of the Abia State Disability Commission, said that deaf students, were often forced to travel out of the state, thereby incurring huge expenses for their families.
The chairman urged the government to ensure that all vehicles on the roads had functional headlights to prevent accidents involving deaf citizens.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Abia State Disability Commission, Mr David Anyaele, said that the commission would always come up with activities that would positively impact on the lives of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Anyaele, represented by a member of the commission, Mr Stanley Onyebuchi, said that the move was in line with the governor’s agenda for an inclusive society.
The chairman, who listed some of the achievements of the commission, said that it would continue to support organisations of PWDs, in order to break barriers.
Earlier, the Chairman, Organising Committee and Keynote Speaker, Mr Fortune Iheanacho, said that the group would push governments to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of PWDs and to enforce sign language rights.
Iheanacho, who spoke on theme : “No Human Rights without Language Right”, called for integration of sign language into school curricula so that hearing impaired children grow up bilingual, fostering empathy and inclusion.
“Sign language is not just a collection of gestures; it is a fully-fledged, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, and soul.
“It is the bridge that connects deaf individuals to education, employment, justice, and most fundamentally, to their human rights,” Iheanacho said.
The colourful event, which drew members of the association from different parts of the state, featured goodwill messages, cultural display, award presentation and other side attractions.
The association presented awards to the governor, his wife, Mrs Chidinma Otti; the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, and the commission’s chairman, Anyaele.
It was in recognition of their outstanding contributions towards promoting an inclusive society.
