Editor,Reference is made to the article, “Police, medics to learn sign language” (Sunday Times, December 29). We at VSO (Voluntary Services Oversees) are proud to be part of a disability movement in Rwanda that is going from strength to strength. This is due in large part to firm political will and commitment to ensure that all citizens benefit from and contribute to national development.A visit to Uganda showed us that there is still much to do in the area of sign language, but where there is a will there is a way! 2014 will be another year of positive change and we will have much to celebrate over the next twelve months.Happy New Year to friends and colleagues in the movement.Sarah Challoner, VSO Programme Manager Kigali*******************We, the deaf community in Rwanda, appreciate the efforts made by The New Times to highlight issues pertaining to people living with disabilities (PLWDs). As the Executive Director of Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD), and as a deaf person myself, I would like to acknowledge the strong collaboration we have with the National Council for People with Disabilities which is entrusted with the duty of advocating for the interests of PLWDs in Rwanda.At least the politicians can have something to read and talk about issues concerning PLWDs in Rwanda. I also appreciate other civil society organisations, especially VSO Rwanda, that works in close collaboration with RNUD.VSO is a key partner of RNUD since 2006. The Government of Rwanda could do more with regard to disability in terms of education, employment and communication (information) – especially for the deaf. I am happy that deaf Rwandans can now smile because of the good plans that are in place such as the envisaged sign language dictionary, and the official recognition of Rwanda Sign Language as official language in the Rwandan Constitution. When you look at the deaf community, it is a linguistic minority. Having a language is equivalent to having a culture. Sign language is the heart of the deaf community, making sign language an official language not only would break communication barriers, but also show that deaf people are citizens with equal rights protected under international and national laws.Legislation on sign language would be a symbol for respect of human rights and would help eradicate the stigma associated with deaf persons. It would also promote national cohesion and the pride in knowing that everyone is equal before the law.Nothing for us without sign language.Samuel Munana, Executive Directo, RNUD Kigali
