Rwanda is set to establish a sign-language college aimed at improving communication, skills development and access to information for deaf-blind and deaf persons.

The institution, known as the ‘Africa Deaf Christian College,’ is expected to open by September in Bugesera District. It will start with 12 classrooms and a planned capacity of about 500 students, according to the officials.

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It will initially offer two faculties: special needs education and sign-language interpreting, and theology. Both faculties will provide undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Omar Kayigi, the Chairperson of Deaf Action Ministry Rwanda, the organisation behind the initiative, said the university seeks to address long-standing gaps in skills development and access to information for people with hearing impairments.

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"There are still major challenges, including the lack of institutions where sign language can be formally studied. This university will strengthen existing efforts and help train qualified sign-language teachers,” Kayigi said.

He added that the institution is working with the Higher Education Council (HEC) to ensure accreditation, with plans to train sign-language teachers at bachelor’s level and later introduce postgraduate programmes for those who previously studied in other disciplines.

While the university will operate as a fee-paying institution, Kayigi said efforts are under way to secure sponsors so that some students can access scholarships.

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Emmanuel Ndayisaba, the Executive Secretary of the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), said the number of people with disabilities progressing to university remains low despite significant demand.

He also urged the university to introduce short courses, noting that NCPD has already developed a sign-language dictionary that requires wider teaching and dissemination.

"We previously relied on organisations to reach and train people, but a specialised college offering these programmes would be a stronger and more sustainable solution,” he said.

He added that the shortage of sign-language experts delayed the development of the dictionary, a process that took eight years, and said the new institution would help produce experts to further develop and expand it.

Marie Goreth Nyiraminani, a resident of Bugesera district who was born with visual and hearing impairment, said limited knowledge of sign language among the public continues to restrict her daily communication.

"When I go to the market, it is often impossible to buy anything without a translator,” she said.