By Adama Makasuba
People with hard of hearing are advocating a provision in new constitution that would allow every public office gets sign language interpreter.
Constitutional Review Commission last week began its second round opinions seeking on last month released draft constitution.
The group lamented of being living in years if discrimination.
Sulayman Bah, a member of the group seeks hospitals and Health centres to have sign language interpreters ” so, we will be able to communicate with health personnel.”
According to Mr Bah, government offices including media houses like
Television stations should have sign language interpreters “so that the dumb people can understand programmes that are broadcast, adding that it would help them to know the daily activities of the country.”
Mrs Haja Sillah, staff of Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH) in Basse Branch expressed dissapointment in ” how deaf are treated in the society” claiming unfair treatment of deaf in the country.”
She said deaf especially women deaf face communication challenges at public places like health centres, adding “they had to always go with their family members to help them communication.”
Jason Camara who lives in Soma urged ” CRC to help them in the health factor adding that they should provide someone that understand sign language in order to assist doctors to know their problem.”
Even in the area of information if CRC can assist them with someone that can pass the information to them in television, he added.
Bakery Saidy Bah also in Soma said: “I want the hospitals to have people who understand sign language to help them in communication with the doctors adding that they find it difficult to understand each other.”