Addressing Communication Barriers For Inclusive Service Delivery In Bauchi
By Murtala Muhammad
In a bid to bridge communication gaps and promote inclusivity for hearing-impaired individuals, the Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities recently conducted a four-day training on Sign Language interpretation.
Supported by the USAID State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity, Bauchi Field Office, the program brought together 35 participants from various sectors, including Civil Society Organizations, RUWASA, and the State Ministries of Health and Education.
The training aimed to address challenges faced by service providers in communicating with hearing-impaired individuals.
Notably, each of Bauchi’s 20 local government areas was represented by a Desk Officer, ensuring widespread coverage of the training’s impact.
Hearing-impaired individuals in Bauchi State often face significant barriers in accessing essential services, including healthcare and education.
Service providers struggle to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and the exclusion of this marginalized group from crucial interventions.
Participants of the training pledged to cascade their newly acquired knowledge to their colleagues.
One of the Desk Officers, Mr. Enock Nathan, highlighted how the program introduced him to the fundamentals of Sign Language interpretation, stating his commitment to fostering inclusive service delivery across his jurisdiction.
Naja Hamza, a representative from the Ministry of Health, emphasized the importance of Sign Language in healthcare delivery, explaining that communication barriers often hinder the treatment of hearing-impaired patients, and the training provided critical tools to address this issue.
Participants who expressed optimism about the program’s potential to drive change, Mukhtar Umar and Muhammad Isah noted that the training had broadened their perspectives and would help reduce the exclusion of hearing-impaired individuals.
The lead resource person, Professor Abu Egwa Ozegya, expressed confidence in the participants’ grasp of the subject, noting their ability to apply the knowledge gained in their day-to-day activities.
Similarly, Rabi Ekele, USAID State2State Team Lead, described the training as groundbreaking, stating it was designed to address inclusion and communication barriers preventing access to basic social services.
To ensure sustainability, the Executive Secretary of the Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities pledged to organize quarterly refresher courses, reiterated their commitment to building capacity and ensuring continuous learning for improved service delivery.
This initiative is a significant step towards fostering inclusivity in Bauchi State, by equipping service providers with Sign Language interpretation skills, the training seeks to eliminate communication barriers and improve access to essential services for hearing-impaired individuals.
The collaborative efforts of government agencies, civil society, and international partners underscore the importance of inclusivity in achieving equitable service delivery.
