Although the production of a comprehensive Rwandan Sign Language Dictionary (RSLD) was completed in May by the Government of Rwanda, through the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), preparations to have it distributed are still underway.

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Emmanuel Ndayisaba, NCPD’s executive secretary, explained that a roadmap of the dictionary is in the works, concerning the implementation, printing, dissemination, development of teaching materials, digitalisation, and recognition of sign language as an official language.

"We have discussed with the Ministry of Education and Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) on means to train sign language in other institutions that are not mainly for people who are deaf. We also anticipate developing teaching materials to ease sign learning,” he said.

He added that there are arrangements to digitalise sign language lessons, so that anyone who owns a smartphone or computer can teach themselves.

Ndayisaba notes that the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education, Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement, organisations of the deaf, and other partners, are set to discuss in detail the guideline of RSLD, before the end of August.

The finished document will be shared among stakeholders for feedback before approval.