The deaf and people with hearing impairment in Ghana on Wednesday voiced out their grief against the fact that their concerns are not being included in national development programmes.
They raised issues with the authorities on the lack of inclusion of issues of accessibility to education, employment and integration of
sign language into the health care system.
They said the rather high rate of stigmatisation and prejudice against the deaf and the hearing impaired must stop.
This was contained in a release in Accra on Wednesday signed by Emmanuel Sackey, Director of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD).
The Association expressed concern about the effect of ignorance, superstition and negative cultural beliefs on their persons, leading
to stigmatisation and discrimination against the deaf and those with hearing impairment.
“In many Ghanaian communities, the deaf is often looked down upon and even called with derogatory names.
“At both the family and community levels, owing to communication barrier, deaf members are not included in the decision making process, neither are they included in socio-political and economic activities thereby leading to their isolation,” the release said.
On education, the GNAD said the inclusion of deaf students in mainstream schools must be accompanied by a supportive environment
including the provision of sign language interpreters or assistive technology devices that could enhance communication.
Citing the 2007 Ghana Human Development Report, the GNAD observed that the unemployment rate for People With Disabilities was 31 per
cent while that of non-disabled persons was 19.8 per cent.
The release also observed that the National Disability Act (Act 715) fell short of an affirmative action although it sought to promote
the employment of PWDs.
It suggested a provision in the law that could guarantee a minimum quota of about five per cent of all public sector employment opportunities for qualified persons with disability.
“With such a provision the government could take the lead and set a good example for the private sector,” the Association suggested.
Additionally, it would also be imperative for financial institutions to support vocational training and sustainable livelihood projects for the deaf, with micro credit schemes to set up their own business.
The release called for the provision of sign language interpreters within the health care delivery system, and also is a remote/video sign language interpretation services through which
interpretation services can be offered by interpreters anywhere without their physical presence.
While calling for the protection of the legal rights of deaf persons, the GNAD stressed the need for the law enforcement agencies
to have on hand sign language interpreters and assistive technology to enhance communication with the deaf when they reported cases at the
police station and when dealing with the judicial system.
The Association called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the district assemblies and the National Commission on Culture to enshrine
deaf sports and recreation in the statue books.
Adequate facilities, programmes and incentives should be provided for persons with disability to have access to sports and cultural
events.
“GNAD wishes to emphasise that good intensions alone are not enough. The existing policies and laws must be implemented to ensure
inclusive society for all. Persons with disability have the same right as other members of society.
“Mainstreaming requires that disability aspects are included in all relevant policy formulation and implementation and not treated
separately.”
The GNAD entreated the public to change the negative perception about the deaf and desist from discrimination and stigmatisation because disability was a social construction reinforced through barriers created by the society.