The deaf lobby for representation
Gothataone Moeng | Wednesday June 11, 2014 06:00
A four-member team from BOAD recently made this, and other demands, before the Minister of Transport and Communications Nonofho Molefhi. The team cited the difficulties that the hearing impaired and other disabled people still have to navigate in their everyday lives.
President of BOAD Japheth Moyo led the team, which also included BOAD director Shirley Keoagile, BOAD public relations officer (PRO) James Keabile as well as Wabotlhe Chimza, board member for the Southern African Federation of the Disabled.
The team told Molefhi that while they appreciate the creation of an office for the disabled at the Office of the President (OP), they are not satisfied with the support and response they get. They described the office as ‘difficult to access’. “We need a place where we can access and share information, find out about resources and services and provide feedback on policies and decisions,” a statement from the team read. Further, the Moyo-led group demanded the establishment of a voting system that is fully accessible to people living with disabilities, in order to ensure their full participation in the democratic process. “Elections are coming up and places, campaigns and political parties manifestos are not accessible. How will we vote and who will we vote (for)?” the Moyo-team asked. The team decried, as a serious problem, the lack of consultation of disabled people and their advocates on issues that affect them. They complain that they are excluded from everyday matters, even on issues that directly affect them. “When Parliament has a debate in the chamber that is specifically about deaf/disability issues, Parliament should ensure that a sign language interpreter is in place and we are made aware through public announcement as well as on Btv,” they recommended. BOAD also appealed to the minister for his support in the promulgation of a Sign Language Bill that would be the establishment of signing as an official language and permit it to be taught in schools. “BOSL is the principal language of many in the deaf community but does not garner the same recognition as English, Chinese or other official languages here at home despite other countries in SADC doing well to accommodate the needs of their people by listening to them,” the statement said. They stated that the support of sign language is important in the promotion of the accessibility for all. “In the case of Botswana people are killing this noble language and its ethics making interpreters come first before the deaf people. Deaf People through their national deaf association have powers to choose interpreters on national programmes,” they said. The team further made Molefhi aware of every-day problems that people living with disabilities have to deal with, saying the majority of public spaces such as schools and offices are not disability-friendly.
They said accessing even facilities that able-bodied people take for granted, such as public transport, is a major challenge for them. They said people with disabilities still face challenges in getting employment and face discrimination. “We made it clear that evidence shows that problems relating to accessibility can lead to social exclusion, with deaf and people (living) with disabilities choosing to exclude themselves from events and social gatherings because there are no facilities in place to accommodate their language as well as venue and transport,” it stated. According to the statement from Moyo’s team, Molefhi promised to lobby for another meeting with stakeholders for consultation and dialogue, with all ministries concerned present.