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{
    "id": 799922,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/799922/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 281,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
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    "content": "The Government should take this seriously and set aside some funds, as my sister, Sen. Mugo, said. She said that there is need for funds to be set aside for purposes of developing this language. There is need to also work with the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), in order to solve the problem of learners with hearing impairment. She talked of hearing aids, which is very important for they can amplify sound. If there are funds set aside, they should be utilized to develop materials that will be used for instruction by learners with hearing impairment. This would help remedy the situation. We also have the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) that is mandated with the task of ensuring that there is parity for all people with disability and it should also help solve this issue. The NCPWD should use funds from the Government to develop instructional materials such as braille and some for those with hearing impairment. The funds used by NCPWD should accommodate all forms of disabilities for us to feel that it is doing something with regard to supporting all persons with disabilities. As I speak, I know that the Council has a leaning towards one form of disability, which should not be the case. The issue of interpreters can be sorted out from the university level because an interpreter who does not have the relevant educational qualifications cannot interpret at the university level. If our vision for learners with hearing impairment is that they will eventually reach university level, then there is need for interpretation even at university level, so as to have the problem solved right from university level. Someone also talked about standardizing sign language. Sign language is standardized in schools. Many people do not understand that the Kenyan sign language emanated from American sign language, which emanated from the French sign language. We borrowed from the American sign language thus most of the signs that we use are American. That is why our sign language is one-handed as opposed to the British one that is two-handed. When we talk of the Kenyan sign language, we are referring to the sign language as it is used in Kenya. We cannot leave linguists out when it comes to developing material. When we leave them out, there will be confusion in the area of sign language studies and the language will fossilize and not go very far. There is need for the KICD and the NCPWD to work with linguists and researchers so as to ensure that learners with disabilities are given a positive contribution. The Ministry of Education should also be objective when addressing the issue of learners with hearing impairment because instructional materials do not reach schools in most cases. About ten years ago, I came up with books on sign language that never reached the classrooms. They are not in schools, yet they are produced by a renowned organization, which is, the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation. We need to be objective in addressing issues of disability for them to benefit from the system that we have. When funds are set aside, they should be used objectively for persons with disabilities to benefit. I want this Motion to move a notch higher to become a Bill, so that it can eventually be enshrined in the law. When that is done, learners with disabilities will learn sign language and funds will be set aside to develop sign language and research on it. Otherwise, sign language will fossilize and learners with disabilities will not see the light at the end of the tunnel. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}