By Omolara Adasofunjo
It is important for government at all levels to promote sign language interpretation by developing and implementing policies that recognise it as an official language as well as access to interpreting services for the hearing-impaired community.
This formed part of discussions at the Annual General Meeting and 10th Anniversary Public Lecture of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Nigeria, ASLIN,Ogun State Chapter, held at the NUJ Hall, Iwe Iroyin, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.
A Guest Speaker and Retired Principal of a Special School, Mr Sina Adefolahan, while speaking on the theme “Sign Language Interpreting: A Human Rights Issue,” emphasised the need to integrate sign language into school curriculum and provide interpreters in educational institutions, healthcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, and government offices to ensure the hearing impaired community enjoys their right to effective communication.
Also speaking, a Speech and Language Pathologist with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Mrs Ololade Nnamani, noted that individuals with speech delays, autism spectrum disorders, stroke or brain injury survivors, and those with neurological conditions also deserve access to effective communication.
She called for policies that would recognise speech and language pathology as an essential service and advocated awareness campaigns to promote their work and reduce stigma.
Earlier, the member representing Abeokuta North State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Dr Babatunde Tella, said he had sponsored a motion mandating the inclusion of sign language interpreters in state programmes.
Dr Tella reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to upholding the rights of hearing-impaired persons across the state.
In their separate remarks the Chairman of the Association, Mr Oluseyi Ogunbayo, and his counterpart from the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Mr Rasheed Salami, explained that the essence of the gathering was to highlight the challenges facing the deaf community and seek lasting solutions.
Highlights of the event included the cutting of the anniversary cake, decorating the wife of Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Olori Aminat Matemilola, as the Matron of the Association and Conferment of Honorary Membership on the Founder of Penpushing Media, Mr Dimeji Kayode.
Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi
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