BY RODRICK DESURI
Auki
A three-day sign (deaf) language training workshop will conclude in Auki today.
The sign language training workshop aims to ensure that sign language is inclusive and accessible to deaf people through the stakeholders in the province.
In an interview with the paper, Project Officer/Sign Interpreter Lovelyn Kwaoga said the training is very important for stakeholders in the province in terms of disseminating vital information.
She said it is crucial for disseminating information regarding emergencies, weather updates, and violence.
“This training is basically to ensure that sign language is inclusive and accessible to all stakeholders in the province, so that when disseminating essential information, it also reaches deaf people.
“At times, we don’t think of our deaf community when disseminating information in times of emergency or bad weather, and this is when we will have troubles,” she said.
She added that an example of a situation is when there is an emergency, such as during bad weather or disasters.
“You’ll see that they are the people who will make wrong decisions at first because the right information isn’t reaching them,” she said.
She said that learning the basics of sign language will also help to communicate with deaf individuals during instances of violence.
“A few times, we have had violent issues that involve deaf people. But because we don’t know how to communicate with them, we don’t understand their situations and issues, and even how to seek help for them,” she said.
Meanwhile, she hopes that after the training, stakeholders will help to include and provide accessible information to deaf individuals.
The participants enjoyed the training as they learned a lot about basic sign language during the first two days.
The training was funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and held at the Women’s Centre in Auki
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