The Association of Sign Language Interpreters of Zambia (ASLIZ) says the absence of sign language on some television (TV) stations has left most of the deaf people vulnerable with current affairs.
ASLIZ Executive Director, Chipampe Ngulimba said there was need for the government to put in place a policy that would ensure that sign language was always used on every local programme on each TV station in the country.
Ms Ngulimba told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today, that it was very important that the deaf also followed current affairs, adding that the move would enable them make decisions about issues affecting them in society.
She said if the policy was not put in place and  supported it would hinder the deaf to equally contribute to the development of the country.
She added that ASLIZ has been fighting for this policy for a very long time now, adding that it was time the policy was put in place.
The ASLIZ Executive Director said in as much as the government has done much to accommodate the deaf, more still needs to be done for the deaf.
Ms Ngulimba added that it was very unfortunate that in some other countries, the deaf have been completely sidelined because some TV stations were not allowing people who understand sign language to interpret issues for them.
She also urged government to consider including sign language in every ministry and not just the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.
The ASLIZ Executive Director also mentioned that there was need to produce more sign language materials for teachers at schools of the deaf in the country.
She added that with enough materials for the teachers they would be able to teach the deaf people properly.
Ms Ngulimba also said that most teachers who teach the deaf were depending on the deaf themselves for more knowledge on sign language.
ZANIS/ENDS/AJN/EB
Long over due. :-w
This is a good causeand call, for thedeaf and disabled population at large.
Please consider their plea.
@#2. Ooops—-should read.. this is a good cause and call for the deaf and disabled population at large.
ZNBC on some occasions has sign language interpreters. Why can’t the make it permanent that the main news has an insert of sign language interpreter? They already do it, therefore, it would be easy to implement I suppose
There is a point here. We all need access to information after all. Can the state do something please. Ba vutika banthu. The deaf are just seeing pictures and not understanding what is going on. Seeing RB on TV and they think he is talking sense, kanshi awe!
The blind are hearing Amake Temwani’s voice thinking she is so pretty and well dressed, kanshi awe!
this is actually a very modest plea…I sympathise with the deaf community in zambia. Apart from the lack of information sighted in this article, the education standards available for deaf people are deplorable. Most of them don’t have qualified teachers and it shows just from the type of results that come from schools for the deaf. I won’t even go into the absence of opportunities at tertiary level..go to any tertiary institution, including unza, i doubt you’ll find one offering services for deaf people..i say it’s plain discrimination, deliberate or not. Government should take disability issues , especially for the deaf , very seriously.
knowledge and information are power!we’ve improved in Zed.keep it up.