The association made this call as it joined the rest of the globe in celebrating the International Week of the Deaf and International Day of Sign Language held at the GODHOH Office in Kanifing on Monday.
“We want Gambian sign language to be officially accepted as a national language. We want the government to put in place a special budget to be attached to any ministry for the deaf to be able to get support from government.” says Lamin Ceesay, Development officer, GADHOH.
He observed that deaf people faced difficulties in accessing proper medication due to communication barriers as hospital staffs are not trained on sign language.
This, he said, is the reason why they are calling on government to support sign language and its interpreters in this very important area.
“Over the years we have been soliciting support from other institutions and NGO’s, but all what they say is government should support first.”
He therefore underscored the importance of communication and that everything is now centered on communication.
Dodou Loum, executive director of GADHOH, revealed that ‘if a section of the society is deprived of accessing opportunities where other people are enjoying,’ obviously their human rights are being violated.
“That’s what is exactly happening to the deaf community. We believe the human rights of the deaf people continued to be violated on daily basis as if they are not equal citizens.’
“The realization of ‘our national development goals’ has little in store for the deaf people, hinting that by the year 2030 it is highly likely that even 30% of ‘our local deaf community would not be enjoying full participation and equal opportunities in the society’ as there is no strategy in place now which can indicate that such achievements would be realized.”
Loum noted that education helps people to participate in their societies and access opportunities, but that today 99% of deaf students have been trapped below general certificate level of the education system.
This, he added, indicates that they could neither obtain higher education nor obtain decent employment.
“In fact it is hard to find a single deaf student among thousands of students attending local universities which clearly proofed that deaf education has never been given the attention deserved.”
Mariama Baldeh of GADHOH women wing, who doubles as a teacher at GADHOH Brikama deaf school, expressed similar sentiments.
She revealed that deaf students are challenged with communication barriers, amid lack of sign language interpreters in schools.
Baldeh further explained that during her programs in Gambia College she personally pay sign language interpreters during lectures.
“We want the government of the Gambia to support deaf education as it is not fair for a deaf person to keep looking for support. We want to be educated like any other citizen. The education policy says education for all but that is not been fully implement.” she added.
