The Acting National President of Nigeria National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Haruna Tsafe has called on the federal government to incorporate sign language into the country’s official language and educational curriculum.
He made the plea while in his keynote address during the 34th Annual General Meeting and General Election held in Abeokuta, Ogun State on Tuesday.
“Sign language, if incorporated, will enhance accessibility, and inclusion, as well as improve communication with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
“State governments should replicate the enactment of the Disability Bill for inclusion, in order to break environmental and physical barriers of members and enhance cultural understanding,” he said.
In her remarks, the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the enactment of the Disability Bill towards ensuring that the needs and rights of special people are not treated with levity.
“The state government had immensely contributed to the promotion and recognition of sign language rights in Nigeria, as well as working with the disability community, to ensure that the rights were enshrined in the national policies and embraced across all sectors of the society.
“The enactment of the Bill was proof that the present administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun place high premium on the rights of people living with disability.
“The current administration had positively impacted the disability community through various empowerment initiatives, provision of tools and resources, among others,” Adeleye said.
Representing the Commissioner, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs and Social Development, Ayotunde Lawal, said the theme of the meeting, “Sign Up For Sign Language Right”, was apt, noting that sign language is not just a mode of communication but a pathway to equality, education, employment and full participation in the society.
Earlier in his address, Ogun State Chairman of Association of the Deaf, Rasheed Salami, appreciated the state government for its unwavering commitment to the welfare of not just its members but people living with disability.
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