Courage Dutiro
People
living with disabilities (PWDs) in Masvingo demanded that government must
provide for Sign Language interpreters in all public offices in order to help
develop it as one of the officially-recognised languages in the country.
living with disabilities (PWDs) in Masvingo demanded that government must
provide for Sign Language interpreters in all public offices in order to help
develop it as one of the officially-recognised languages in the country.
Speaking
at a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Gender Development enquiry held at
Mucheke Hall recently, PWDs expressed dismay over the unavailability of Sign Language-proficient
staff in public offices such as the police stations, health centres and
government departments.
at a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Gender Development enquiry held at
Mucheke Hall recently, PWDs expressed dismay over the unavailability of Sign Language-proficient
staff in public offices such as the police stations, health centres and
government departments.
“We
face many challenges when we approach public offices especially police stations
and health centres. We want government to include Sign Language interpreters in
such public offices.
face many challenges when we approach public offices especially police stations
and health centres. We want government to include Sign Language interpreters in
such public offices.
“People
who work with the public should be trained to speak Sign Language to overcome
communication breakdowns that we face at these public spaces,” said Moses
Chitombo.
who work with the public should be trained to speak Sign Language to overcome
communication breakdowns that we face at these public spaces,” said Moses
Chitombo.
Others
said people with disabilities were more likely to find it harder to secure
accommodation on rental basis than other people, making it critical for
government to help them have homes of their own.
said people with disabilities were more likely to find it harder to secure
accommodation on rental basis than other people, making it critical for
government to help them have homes of their own.
Tavengwa
Mazhambe from the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) said
many PWDs did not turn up for the event as the communication used by parliament
to mobilise them was flawed.
Mazhambe from the National Council of Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe (NCDPZ) said
many PWDs did not turn up for the event as the communication used by parliament
to mobilise them was flawed.
“We
were not formally informed about the event. We only got to know about it at the
11th hour through social media. Those who turned up are live close by,”
said Mazhambe.
were not formally informed about the event. We only got to know about it at the
11th hour through social media. Those who turned up are live close by,”
said Mazhambe.
Some
participants claimed such outreaches were no longer appealing to the concerned
people, saying issues raised are never implemented.
participants claimed such outreaches were no longer appealing to the concerned
people, saying issues raised are never implemented.
Others
said the proportional representation system should be expanded to accommodate
more PWDs in parliament as well as in both urban and rural district councils.
said the proportional representation system should be expanded to accommodate
more PWDs in parliament as well as in both urban and rural district councils.
Parliamentary
Portfolio Committee on Gender Development chairperson Siphiwe Ncube, however,
said the information obtained will help parliament to shape policy.
Portfolio Committee on Gender Development chairperson Siphiwe Ncube, however,
said the information obtained will help parliament to shape policy.
