ALICE
About 29 in Fort Portal have on Tuesday 15, 2022 been approved by Uganda National Association of the deaf [UNAD] to appropriately communicate to the deaf, also a section of People with Disabilities [PWD].
Those that were certified to communicate with sign language, include head teachers, teachers, parents and health workers from Buhinga hospital, Kyebambe model primary school, Kazingo SDA primary school, Bukuku primary school, Rwenkuba primary school, Kabarole primary school, Buhinga primary school, Nyabukara primary school, Canono Apolo demonstration school, Kibooha primary school and St. Peter and Paul primary school.
Public advised to embrace learning sign language
Peterson Mwesige, the Instructor of Sign language from Kabarole district Association of the deaf [KADAD],asked the public to open their minds to learning sign language, for matters of getting adequate interpreters of the deaf in hospitals, schools, banks, courts among other service centers.
Mwesige says that especially in hospitals,most doctors do not know sign languages which may make them end up giving wrong services and medication to deaf patients.
” In the whole region there is only one interpreter for sign language. This is a big challenge since the entire region can not effectively survive on a single person. We call hence call for government support in acquiring adequate interpreters for the betterment of the deaf.” remarked Mwesige.
He also asked parents to send their children who are challenged with hearing so that the number of educated deaf increases. This he says can be a way of solving the current challenges faced by the deaf.
Much as the program was meant for teachers, head teachers, parents, health workers, but only two parents turned up which was to Mwesige’s disappointment.
Participants hail the program
Bob K Businge, a parent who spoke on behalf of participants, said that sign language is set to help them communicate with their children at home and in the community.
He asked the government to always have interpreters of sign language in their functions for the deaf to understand everything.
Angelica Kabasita the head teacher St. Peter and Paul primary school while speaking as a host, said that the school is currently accommodating 30 deaf pupils with only 2 teachers of sign language
She says that 34 members showed up for the sign language program but only 29 were able to complete the 6 months sign language program
Richard Alituha, the principal education officer Fort Portal city says that studying sign language is more useful to them saying that additional courses helps someone to be promoted to the next level.
Florence Tusiime the deputy speaker Fort Portal city while speaking as chief guest asked the Instructor from Kabarole district Associations of the deaf to write a concept and present it to the mayor and non governmental institutions for seeking support.
About UNAD
The Uganda National Association of the Deaf (UNAD) is a non governmental and voluntary organisation bringing together all categories of deaf people including deaf persons with multiple disabilities (e.g Deaf blind persons.)
