Sign Language Day: Group decries discrimination against people with disabilities

Thu, Sep 24, 2020
By editor
2 MIN READ

Politics

The Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, has urged Gov. Nasir El-Rufai to sign into law, the Disability Right Bill passed by the state assembly, to protect them against discrimination and labeling.

The association made the appeal in a statement issued by its Chairman, Mr Nuhu Ayuba, on Thursday in Kaduna.

It noted that people with special needs require inclusion and support to contribute more meaningfully to national development.

The association added that laws such as the one passed by the Kaduna State Assembly, would break existing gaps and discrimination and ensure inclusion of the people with disabilities in the mainstream society.

It urged government, families, religious leaders and friends of the deaf to learn and support the learning of sign language, so as to break the communication barrier between the deaf and the hearing world.

The group also urged the government to provide sign language interpreters in public places, such as hospitals, National TV stations, buses, and train stations.

It noted that the international day of sign language celebrated every September 23, was a unique opportunity to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for 2020 is ‘Sign language is for everyone’, and the Day is meant to raise awareness on the importance of sign language as part of the human rights of the deaf.

The World Federation of the Deaf said there are approximately about 72 million deaf people worldwide and more than 80 percent are living in developing countries, including Nigeria.(NAN)

– Sept. 24, 2020 @ 15:35 GMT |

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