The Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD) has called for the nationwide adoption and use of sign language for inclusive development that enables effective communication of people with speech and hearing impairment and the rest of the society. The Union made the appeal on Friday, September 22, at the closure of celebrations marking the end of the 14th International Week of the Deaf. During the day's discussions, the need to embrace sign language was high on the agenda as Rwanda was set to join the rest of the world to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages on Saturday, September 23, under the theme A world where Deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere. ALSO READ: Renewed call to make sign language an official language The Chairperson of Rwanda National Union of the Deaf, Augustin Munyangeyo, said, through an interpreter, that persons with speech and hearing impairment are able to work for development and attain their rights. He pointed out that sign language is one of key factors to that end. “Sign language means a lot to our development. Any time a person with speech and hearing impairment is not able to communicate with others, it means that their development cannot be achieved, he said. According to the World Federation of the Deaf, 60 per cent of countries in the world, Rwanda inclusive, have not legally recognised their national sign languages. Munyangeyo said lack of knowledge about and acceptance of sign language use officially result in a kind of isolation of people with speech and hearing impairment, an issue that can be addressed through embracing the language nationally. ALSO READ: Sign language in courts: What does it mean? “We want the government to allow the training of sign language in all possible areas including health facilities, police and the army, and all schools,” he said, adding that parents should also be trained in sign language so that they become knowledgeable in it. “We appeal to the government of Rwanda to recognise sign language as an official language,” he said. Progress made at a glance Talking about the journey made so far, Munyangeyo cited the compilation of a sign language dictionary and training different people, and integrating sign language in university studies – to some extent. “We had a partnership with the University of Rwanda where we were able to establish a department of sign language and interpreters,” he said. According to the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), the workshop to launch a sign language dictionary is expected to be held in October. ALSO READ: RIB to deploy sign-language interpreters at all their stations Some of the challenges include lack of sign language knowledge among medical personnel, resulting in inability to understand conditions and healthcare needs of patients who suffer from speech and hearing impairment, Munyangeyo. observed “With the partner UPHLS (Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the fight against HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion), we trained 300 medical personnel in basic sign language so that they are able to understand a person with speech and hearing impairment and to provide health service to them,” he said. ALSO READ: Plans underway to distribute Rwandan Sign Language Dictionary MP Odette Uwamariya, the chairperson of Parliament’s committee on social affairs, said that one of the major steps made in regards to responding to the needs of the deaf is the development of a sign language in the country. She pointed out that Parliament is ready to offer the needed support for the development of people living with disabilities, and sign language use in the country.
