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{
    "id": 1557416,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1557416/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 124,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Embu County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Pamela Njeru",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " It is critical services in public institutions, Hon. Speaker. I rise pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c) to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection regarding accessibility of critical services in public institutions by deaf persons. Article 7(3)(b) of the Constitution obligates the State to promote the development and use of the Kenya Sign Language. Further, Article 54(1)(c) of the Constitution guarantees that persons with disabilities are entitled to reasonable access to all places, including public transport and information. However, the reality of the life of deaf persons in the country shows that there is a gap in the provisions of the law and its actual realisation. In many public institutions, particularly hospitals, deaf persons are often unable to communicate their health needs due to absence of sign language interpreters or alternative communication technologies. Article 43(1)(a) of the Constitution provides that every person has a right to the highest attainable standard of healthcare, which includes the right to health care services. This cannot be achieved due to inaccessibility to services by deaf persons in public institutions. This communication barrier exposes deaf people to misdiagnosis, improper treatment and alienation from critical public services. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection on the following: 1. Report indicating the number and distribution of sign language interpreters across critical institutions in the country, including public hospitals, courts and police stations. 2. Steps that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection is taking to implement the provisions of the Constitution in relation to accessibility by persons who are deaf. 3. Measures in place to promote training, certification and deployment of sign language interpreters to critical institutions. 4. Policy in place to develop assistive technology that supports communication for persons who are deaf or have hearing impaired. Thank you, Hon. Speaker."
}