A sign language specialist Bernard Oduor has challenged government to employ sign language interpreters in all its department to cater for deaf people.
Speaking to the press in Nakuru County, Odour said that government needs to have interpreters in all government institutions for ease of communication adding that the move will make those who cannot hear feel that they are also valued and considered as part of the society.
“We have heard cases where deaf people cannot communicate in hospitals. In some cases they are arrested and the police think they are being arrogant when they cannot defend themselves hence they end up experiencing unnecessary torture,” said Oduor.
Odour insisted that the service delivery for disabled people, especially deafs, have been a problem due to lack of proper communication between them and others.
“We are appealing to county governments to have an interpreter in the District Hospitals, Police Headquarters, Prisons Department, in Law Courts and at Huduma Centres. In some cases deaf people end up being mishandled or not taken seriously because of poor and inefficient communication style,” said Oduor.
He added that it is unfortunate that most deaf people are forced to write down what they want from a government office a situation he said is a great challenge especially to those who are not able to write.
Odour promised to start a campaign in all the county government offices to have at least an interpreter.