Deaf plead with Kaapanda

THE Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) requested the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda, to have the Constitution translated into sign language.

A group from NNAD met Kaapanda at his office in Windhoek on Wednesday, where they discussed some of the challenges the deaf face in Namibia.

Apart from the Constitution, the group also requested that other important national documents be translated as well.

Speaking on behalf of the group, NNAD executive chairperson Paul Linekela Nanyeni said they need interpretations of Heroes’ Day celebrations proceedings as well as other important national days.

“We just stare at the TV screen when the nation celebrates important days and try to make sense out of pictures, thus creating a lot of misconceptions. If we get an interpreter, it would be easy to access the information,” Nanyeni said.

He also requested access to information through enhanced technology, deaf-friendly devices or packages and sign language interpreters.

“We appeal to the ministry to make sign language available to hearing-impaired Namibians through budget provisions,” Nanyeni said.

He said the NNAD wants the ministry to ensure that there are sufficient funds to enable sign language interpreters to be available at different places so that the deaf can receive information whenever it is deemed necessary.

“They should also be placed in parliament. There are so many discussions there which affect us as well; hence we deserve to be informed.”

Nanyeni requested the ministry to engage Telecom Namibia and MTC so that they explore ways the hearing-impaired can benefit from their services.

“We want them to introduce more tailor-made packages for the deaf to be able to enjoy communications with friends, families and colleagues,” he said.

Nanyeni said relay services, where deaf persons can be able to receive a text message from a voice call is among the many possible ways to make life easier for them.

“Enhanced handsets for instant messaging that enable the flow of conversations at minimal fees, will go a long way to make life easier for hearing-impaired Namibians,” he said.

Nanyeni concluded that if their requests were approved, it will improve their lives through technological advancement.

Kaapanda said the requests are well in line with government’s efforts to educate the whole nation and not exclude any group of the population.

He said his office will see how it can move forward after the discussions, saying the meeting was an eye-opener for the ministry.

Kaapanda said the requests will need stakeholders such as Telecom, MTC, NBC and New Era newspaper as they all are involved if the demands are to be met.

The minister promised to revert back to the group within two weeks, promising to address their issues before he leaves office at the end of the year.

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