WINDHOEK- The Namibian National Association of the Deaf feels its members are distanced from access to information.
Representatives from the association yesterday pleaded with information technology companies to help them in this regard.
They added that the interpretation of national documents such as the constitution of Namibia and regulation of bills, as well as provision of technological variations with access to information through technology to fit the needs of the hearing impaired people, remain a challenge.
With only few local TV programmes that feature sign language interpreters, the association wants to urge broadcasters to have more programmes with sign language interpreters.
Peter Denk, a representative of the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), stated that provision could be made to create live programmes and possibly introduce programmes featuring persons with hearing disabilities. Denk, however, cited the general lack of sign language interpreters in the country as a challenge.
Joel Kaapanda, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, stated that the ministry would in future avail access to information to persons with hearing impairments, depending on its budget.
Amongst the companies present at the meeting held at the ministry yesterday were Telecom Namibia, One Africa Television, New Era and NBC.
The media institutions expressed willingness to addressing the complaints brought forth by representatives of the association.
Tim Ekandjo, Chief Human Capital & Corporate Affairs Officer of MTC said, “MTC does not segment its customers, whether they have any disability or not.”
Ekandjo also mentioned the concern that MTC would deal with complaints presented in short term methods by MTC, discussing the concerns which were brought forth with other ICT steering committee members as well as making an appointment with the association to understand the ICT challenges the association faces.