Bauchi Partners State2State To Address Inclusion Challenges Through Sign Language Interpreters
By Murtala Muhammad
The Bauchi State Agency for Persons with Disabilities in collaboration with the USAID-funded State Accountability, Transparency, and Effectiveness (State2State) Activity, recently held a seminar to highlight the importance of incorporating sign language interpreters in service delivery across the health, education, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sectors.
The initiative seeks to ensure that persons with hearing impairments in Bauchi State have equitable access to essential services, promoting inclusion and empowerment.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Agency, Brisca Joram Aaron, emphasized the importance of raising awareness among government officials, ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and private sector stakeholders about integrating sign language interpreters into their services.
Brisca Aaron noted that the initiative aligns with international best practices in social inclusion, adhering to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and Nigeria’s Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018.
She stressed that such measures were essential for empowering individuals with hearing impairments to make informed decisions and fully participate in societal activities.
The lead facilitator, Professor Abu Egwa Ozegya, outlined the numerous benefits of sign language interpreters.
These include facilitating effective communication, improving academic performance, and clarifying messages through facial expressions and body language.
He further explained that interpreters bridge language barriers, manage behavioral challenges, and address the communication needs of deaf individuals in multicultural contexts.
The State Team Lead for the USAID State2State Activity, Bauchi Field Office, Mrs. Rabi Ekele, emphasized that global best practices require inclusive services for all, regardless of economic or social status.
She called on MDAs and private organizations to integrate sign language interpreters into their operations to tackle the challenges faced by persons with hearing impairments.
The seminar, attended by Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and other key stakeholders, concluded with a collective commitment to addressing exclusion and discrimination within their respective sectors, ensuring that no one is left behind.