WINDHOEK- Members of the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) say they want access to MTC’s prepaid Aweh Aweh special, tailor-made for their impairment.
NNAD says it urgently needs interpreters, and productive access to the Namibian Brodcasting Corporation’s (NBC) television programmes. Other demands include having the Namibian Constitution in Braille for the virsually impaired.
“We want access to Braille and alternative communication and all other accessible means and modes and formats of communication,” NNAD executive chairperson, Paul Linekela Nanyeni on Wednesday told Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Joel Kaapanda when they met him.
Nanyeni further asked the information minister to make sign language available to the hearing impaired through special budget provisions.
“Regardless of our abilities or disabilities, we deserve to be informed,” Nanyeni told Kaapanda.
He said NNAD seeks sign language interpreters to be available at all different Government functions such as August 26 when the nation commemorates Heroes’ Day and all other national events of importance.
“We want your good ministry to ensure there is sufficient funds to enable sign language interpreters to be available at different places so that the deaf public can receive information whenever its deemed necessary,” Nanyeni said.
He said there were many discussions in Parliament that affect both the hearing and virsually impaired Namibians which they were unable to access.
Nanyeni said NNAD also needs to access information through enhanced technologies.
“We have two mobile providers, MTC and Telecom Namibia. These telecommunication giants have so many special packages, voice and data packages. We would like you to explore possible ways they can address the needs of deaf persons.
“Currently there is only one way Short Message Text Services (SMS) the deaf can use with their handsets from both carriers. We want them to introduce more tailor made packages for the hearing impaired.”
Nanyeni said the association wants the hearing impaired to be able to receive text messages from voice calls and enhanced handsets.
On national documents, he said these should be ranslated into sign language as this would help the deaf to understand these documents.
Nanyeni requested the minister of information to identify these important documents that need translation into sign language.
“Such projects not only are necessary means of giving information to the deaf but also help the deaf to work and earn some funds to uplift their lives,” he said.
After listening to their grivances, Kaapanda described the meeting as an eye opener. He promised the group to do everything in his power before he leaves office to ensure the implementation of their requests.
He said information must be inclusive of all citizens and government is obliged not to exclude anyone. He promised to give a directive to the Print Media and Information Directorate to specifically deal with their demands.
Kaapanda proposed a follow-up meeting where other role players such as New Era, NBC, MTC and other stakeholders will be present to answer to their requests.
“The process requires many stakeholders to come to the table. Your demand for the Constitution to be translated is just perfect. We are enjoying freedom and safety so the Constitution must be made accessible to all,” Kaapanda explained.
Early this year NNAD met with Minister of Education, Dr David Namwandi, where they expressed concerns about the way Government is treating its members regarding access to education.
Among the many concerns raised with Namwandi were that its members could only go up to Grade 10 because there were no facilities to help them acquire further education.
NNAD says it has 27 000 members.
Nanyeni, told New Era there are only two schools that cater solely for the deaf in the country, and four other units for the deaf. The two schools were Eluwa Special School in Ongwediva and the National Institute for Special Education in Windhoek which only offer classes up to Grade 10.
“We do not have secondary schools for deaf learners. This is very discouraging as they cannot see the possibility of succeeding through the mainstream education system,” complained Nanyeni.
NNAD members also met Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob regarding their concerns.