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AT LEAST three offices of the Lapu-Lapu City Government were urged to design a program for their frontline services personnel to undergo basic sign language training course.
This is to better serve deaf residents and clients of the City Government who are considered persons with disability (PWDs).
The Lapu-Lapu City Council approved during its regular session Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the proposed resolution authored by Councilor Annabeth Cuizon, requesting the Office of the City Administrator, Human Resource Management Office, and City Social Welfare and Development Office-Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office (CSWDO-PDAO) to deliberate on designing such program.
“I think government services should be accessible to all, even to the deaf mutes or any other PWD,” Cuizon told SunStar Cebu.
“Usa sa atong mahimo mao ang pagtudlo sa atong mga frontline workers ug sign languages para ang atong mga igsoong amang dili na maglisod og communicate sa ilang mga tuyo diha sa mga staff sa opisina diin gitawag nato ug mga frontlines. I also believe, that in an inclusive government, one should have the right to be heard,” she added.
(What we can do is to teach our frontline workers about sign languages so that our deaf mute brethren would not be having difficulty communicating in transacting with the office staff whom we call as frontliners).
The councilor said the approved resolution is in line with the observance of the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23, the purpose of which is “to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.”
Cuizon noted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which requires the state to provide forms of live assistance and intermediaries, including guides, readers and professional sign language interpreters, to facilitate accessibility to buildings and other facilities open to the public.
Junard Abalos, head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, told SunStar Cebu that they strongly support the request for basic sign language training for frontliners in accordance with Mayor Junard Chan administration’s trust of inclusive governance.
“Capacitating them will help them assist better PWDs transacting in the government,” said Abalos, adding that the move of the City Council is timely and relevant in accordance with the International Day of Sign Languages.
“In fact, in line with the celebration, the CSWDO-PDAO is also organizing a sign language training for everyone interested,” he said. (MKG)