Association decries dearth of sign language interpreters

The Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) has expressed concern over the low number of skilled sign language interpreters in the country.The association's President, Malam Suleiman Dagbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja through an interpreter that the situation was hampering the involvement of the deaf in national activities.He said language interpreters would bridge the current information gap, which placed the deaf at a disadvantaged position in accessing information.According to Dagbo, deaf individuals are being marginalised in the scheme of affairs in the country due to public misconceptions of deafness and the inability of the deaf community to speak out at the appropriate time.He emphasised that having sign language interpreters was part of the fundamental rights of members of the association and urged the government to assist in this regard.The association's president urged Nigerians to encourage the deaf to achieve their full potential without any discrimination.'The home and school environment of the deaf child must continuously provide appropriate motivating and progressive ingredients such as parental care and love, discipline, communication, interaction and exposure to societal functions and realities.'On special education for the deaf, Dagbo said that there was the need for the Federal Government to restructure existing schools for the deaf in the country.'The school environment must provide qualified sign language skilled teachers and rich learning environment.'The NNAD was established in 1972 to promote the rights of the deaf through partnership with relevant stakeholders and non governmental organisations for equal participation of the deaf people in national development.
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