Deaf association calls on state to learn sign language

This emerged last week during the three-day workshop for the training of interpreters in sign language in Gaborone. The aim of the workshop, which was organised by the Botswana Association of the Deaf on sign language, was to teach hearing people, especially unemployed youth, sign language so that they are able to communicate with the deaf and get jobs as sign language interpreters.

During the workshop, members of the association complained that the government and the community were not doing much to learn sign language.They said lack of knowledge in sign language makes it hard for them to communicate or express their needs and wants to the government and other people on a personal level.  They said that not being able to communicate with people whose hearing is intact makes it hard for them to take part in the development of the country and they are not able to express their feelings to their leaders because of communication barriers that make it hard for both parties to understand each other.