The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has urged political parties to provide sign language interpreters during their campaigns for 2023 poll.
Mr Yusuf Yahaya, the Gombe Zonal Coordinator, JONAPWD, said this in a statement in Gombe on Wednesday.
Yahaya said that the use of sign language interpreters would ensure effective communication of party manifestoes to the electorate especially Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
“Dearth of sign language interpreters during campaigns has made some of our members to stay away from voting.
Sign language interpreters are highly needed to help PWDs to participate in the electoral process.
“PWDs often find it difficult to partake in campaigns and other political activities in view of the fact that they are not being carried along.
By providing sign language interpreters during campaigns, media interviews, and including them in the campaign and committees will give PWDs a sense of belonging and motivate them to vote during election,’’ he said.
Yahaya said that PWDs deserved information on the plans and agenda of political parties and their candidates, adding that this was the essence of campaigns.
But many do not get that and may not participate in voting,” the JONAPWD official said. NAN
