23 Sep 2024

The Persons with Disability Act of 2024 requires multi-sectoral approach hence the need for all stakeholders to commit to implementing the new legislation.

National Disability Coordinating Office director, Ms Peggy Garebaitse made the during the commemoration of the International Day of Sign Languages held under the theme: Sign Up for Sign Language Rights, in Jwaneng on Friday.

Ms Garebaitse underscored the need to intensify awareness and education on the new law across all sectors of the society.

She said one of the key issues in the new legislation was advocacy for early identification of people with disabilities in order for them to get the necessary services and assistance.

“Section 26 of the Persons with Disability Act calls for reasonable adjustments and it starts with early identification of children through a diagnostic assessment process that will lead to children with hearing impairment being provided with appropriate intervention services that will ultimately lead to them accessing quality education, work and decent employment,” she said.

Additionally, Ms Garebaitse underscored the need to fast track the standardisation of Botswana’s sign language in an endeavour to promote the identity and culture of deaf people.

Notwithstanding, she noted that the Ministry of Education and Skills Development had made strides by implementing the Language Policy which provided for the recognition of sign language in schools.

She also hailed the Botswana Association of the Deaf (BAOD) for collaborating with its development partners to ensure the standardisation of sign language.

She further said there was need for sign language interpreters in all public gatherings to cater for the deaf community.

“It is also critical that in all major gatherings, including media platforms, sign language interpreters are availed and that all public spaces must have visible signage for the deaf,” she said.

She noted that such initiatives would go a long way in creating a conducive environment and promoting active participation by the deaf and subsequently achieving the objectives of the Persons with Disability Act.

She also said such would further promote equality and non-discrimination of the deaf community.

For his part, United Nations resident coordinator, Mr Zia Choudhury called on the society to strive for inclusivity of deaf people and other people with disability in funerals.

Mr Choudhury also underscored the importance of learning sign language for effective communication with deaf people.

He applauded BAOD for tirelessly working towards advancing the rights of deaf people and advocating for their inclusion in decision making.

He said there was need for people with various disabilities to be empowered and included in decision making processing and sustainable development.

BAOD executive director, Ms Shirley Keoagile appealed to human rights organisations to hold hands with them as they continued to advance the rights of people with disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairments.

Ms Keoagile said BAOD was committed to advocating for deaf people to be included in decision making roles and be heard in various platforms.

She implored parents and guardians of deaf people to come out in order to access the necessary support and assistance from the deaf community.

Jwaneng Mayor, Ms Olga Ditsie appealed to all organisations to make deliberate decisions to involve people with disabilities in various areas of their operations.

Ms Ditsie applauded Debswana for its Human Diamonds initiative, which she said had seen over 100 people with disabilities being employed in various operations of the mine.

“Debswana has taken the lead in making a deliberate decision to employ differently-abled people and they have even exceeded their target of 100. I therefore call upon other organisations and departments to emulate this initiative towards inclusivity for all,” she said. ENDS