The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria, Mr James Lalu has reiterated the importance of understanding Sign language among deaf persons and their family members despite distortions in communication within the deaf community.
In a statement, Head, Press and Public Relations, NCPWD, Mbanefo John Michaels, says Mr Lalu made this assertion while addressing the press on the occasion of International day of Sign language.
Speaking at the 77th United Nations General Assembly held in New York, he described Nigeria as a unique Country with over 200 ethnic groups and languages, and this, he said informed the Commission’s decision to develop a sign language dictionary that puts into consideration the ethnic- diversity of Nigeria while interpreting.
“I am very impressed with some persons who have decided to study sign language Communication for the sake of their loved ones in the family,” he said.
According to him, some persons with hearing impairment were already adults before they accidentally became deaf, and this made it difficult for them to acclimatize to their new world.
The Executive Secretary seized the occasion to call on Educational regulatory agencies to pay more attention to learning sign language in various faculties of higher institutions.
He also hinted that NCPWD has met and collaborated with the National Commission for Colleges of Education to consider incorporating the learning of sign language into the curriculum of schools across the country.
PIAK
