The Nigeria National Association of the Deaf Youth Section (NNADYS) led by the National Youth Leader, Amb. Ebuka Okeke on Thursday in Abuja organized a workshop to raise awareness about sign language among Federal Road Safety Officials.
The workshop aimed at training selected officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on the basic Nigeria Sign Language (NSL) using sign language flashcards.
It was a wonderful opportunity for passionate youth section members of NNAD to share their knowledge and experiences with the FRSC officials.
The National Youth leader, Amb. Ebuka Okeke in his welcome address appreciated FRSC officials for taking time out of their tight schedules to avail themselves for the workshop which according to him was necessary, paramount, important and beneficial to the Deaf community and other PWDs.
According to him, this initiative was programmed to cover all the zones in the country starting from north central.
He stressed that his administration is aiming at creating more opportunities and seek for more funding to carryout life changing programmes that would be beneficial to the larger Deaf community of which this was his first initiative.
He is hoping to do more as time progresses, he wished the participants a wonderful discussion.
The Chairman, Abuja Association of The Deaf, Mr Ayoade, Beyioku-alase while speaking at the event, talked about the need for collaboration, he emphasized on the importance of building the sign language capacity of the officers to enhance better communication and access which according to him was necessary for promoting an inclusive society, as well as increasing trust amongst the Federal Road Safety Officers and the Deaf Community.
Comrade Christian Obiora, Agbo, The Executive Director of The Qualitative Magazine, a disability focused magazine opined that the need for an inclusive society cannot be overemphasized. He stressed the need for the Federal Road Safety officers to come up with better and innovative ideas on the best approach to be adopted for easy identification of Drivers With Disabilities.
He therefore proposed that FRSC should collaborate with National Commission for Persons With Disabilities to come up with inscription stickers that would be given to all Drivers With Disability to stick on their cars as a means of identifying them when on the road. This is in compliance with Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition Act) 2018.
He also urged FRSC to review the recruitment guideline which totally excluded persons with disabilities even though it is in accordance with the Act that establish them, they should consider employing PWDs to meet the 5% employment quota for PWDs which will help in combating poverty which dwells more among PWDs.
The officers were taken on basic sign language training lead by a Deaf, Mr Umaru Zayyanu, the training was lively as the officers were seen expressing passion and joy in learning sign language.
The participants learnt a lot through practical exercises facilitated by Barr. Catherine Edeh, Executive Director of VDI; Mr. Agbo Christian, CEO of The Qualitative Magazine; Ayoade Bayioku-Alase, AAD Chairman; Dougals Izuchukwu, WFDYS Secretary; Umaru Zayanu and others worked together to bridge communication gaps and promote inclusivity on roads.
Abdul Quadri, the SL Interpreter and Zenda Festus, the moderator were amazing.
The workshop was a huge success, because the participants (FRSC officers) gained valuable insights into sign language and learning how to better interact with individuals who are deaf and hard-of-hearing was a wonderful experience.
By understanding and using sign language, selected FRSC officers can now communicate with deaf and hard-of-hearing people on a basic level.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of Sign language flashcards to the head of FRSC delegation by National Youth leader, Amb. Ebuka Okeke.
The FRSC were asked to continue practicing using the flashcards.
NNADYS is committed to creating a more inclusive society, and will continue to support and promote awareness of sign language, making Nigeria a place where everyone can communicate and thrive.
