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{
    "id": 1284563,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1284563/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 248,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "around this. We also look at sign language as a form of communication between people who have speech or hearing impairments. Madam Temporary Speaker, sign language can also be used by people who do not have this challenge. For example, if you are from different languages maybe this can be an opportunity for you to communicate among yourself without having to learn another foreign language. So, if you look at it, it applies in both cases. Most importantly, this Bill has tried to address all aspects of the application of sign language. It has talked about having it applied in education by having a curriculum on sign language. This will help in promoting the quality of education among people with this challenge. In a normal environment, they are disadvantaged. So, by having a curriculum in place for these people, they will learn in a better way and maximize their potential unlike learning in an environment where we do not have a curriculum in place. Coming from the technology world, I know a number of my colleagues have not talked about it, but it has also been reflected in the Bill. It is about the use of sign languages in telecommunication. This is very important because, in this digital era, it is critical that we integrate sign language into our technologies. For example, in the Kenyan environment where almost 85 per cent of people use mobile phones, telecommunication network providers must provide access to their network to persons with hearing challenges or deaf people. Recently I saw Safaricom trying in this area by recruiting trainers or teachers. However, I think that more can be done looking at what happens in other countries. In the USA, for example, we have a substantive law that deals with technology and hearing impairment. What we call the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act ensures that the technologies in place, especially in telecommunication are all aligned to ensure that persons with hearing impairment can access these services. It is also important to ensure the integration of sign language in healthcare. I think that it is important for doctors and health personnel to be trained in sign language so that they can manage deaf patients better, get information from deaf patients. The deaf patients can then communicate effectively with the persons providing healthcare to them. I know my colleagues have talked about education in terms of teachers. We have a serious problem in the development of teaching resources in special education in this country. Just last week, I visited the TSC headquarters with some teachers from my county who have stagnated in one grade for so many years. There is a particular case of a teacher who had even served as a principal of a school for four years only to be told, “you need to go back to the classroom because you have not been upgraded to this.” These are challenges that demotivate teachers pursuing this kind of specialization. Therefore, it leads to further discrimination against people with disabilities. So, this is one area that needs to be looked into. Madam Temporary Speaker, at the same time I think that all teachers must undergo sign language training so that they can communicate effectively with the learners regardless of having disability or not. My view is that we need to come up with a policy to ensure that as part of the process of training teachers, they must be taken through sign language training so that The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard Services,Senate."
}