by Chris Agbo,
Deaf Women Aloud Initiative (DWAI) on Thursday organized a sensitization workshop to mark International Day for Sign Language otherwise known as International week for the Deaf.
The Executive Director of DWAI and the President of Deaf Women Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Helen Beyioku-Alase speaking to TQM said that they are commemorating the week because it is mapped out globally to create awareness about the rights of deaf people in the society. It is all about mainstreaming the deaf in our society, making information accessible for the Deaf through sign Language which would make possible for the deaf to access healthcare services, education, work in places of their choice etc.
Speaking further, she said that it is also a week to create awareness for the recognition of the Deaf and also the sign language interpreters. The lack of sign language interpreting on most of our Television stations across the country is a grave disservice to the Deaf because they have been completely shot out from information dissemination in the society. This same practice is what the Deaf face in schools, workplaces, events and their day to day activities. If a deaf person want to read medicine for example, he or she will be rejected because deaf awareness is very low and sign language interpreters have not be highly recognized. Therefore, the week is to carry out activities, engage stakeholders so that the deaf can be carried along in the scheme of things.
She advocates for legislation that will make it mandatory for sign language interpreting to be included in TV programs, schools, hospitals, banks, places of worship and most importantly include it as one of Nigerian Language because it is the language of over 10 million deaf people in Nigeria.
“It is very important that Sign Language is recognized because it is our culture, our voice, every other Nigerian have a voice and with Sign language, the Deaf can also have a voice, with the voice, we can fight for our human right, it is our right to have access information and give us a voice can fight and stand for our fundamental human rights at all time and place and we can have a society devoid of discrimination of the Deaf” she added.
“As government is promoting other languages, it is not out of place for government to also promote sign language because it is sign language of millions of deaf people in Nigeria, many Nigerians have given birth to deaf persons and there are many deaf persons who have had children, so if the sign language is recognized. it will serve as their mother tongue and they can access information wherever they find themselves and do whatever they deem fit as citizens of this country, ” She concluded.
The event featured many activities but the striking one was a panel of well experienced Deaf sharing their experiences . creating awareness and proffering life changing information to other Deaf women and stakeholders.
The panel had prominent deaf women such as Adedoyin Beyioku-alase popularly known as MAMA DEAF, Barrister Catherine Edeh, Helen Beyioku-Alase and Queen Janet Fasakin.
Some pictures of the event:
