A significant percentage of people in our country are auditorily and verbally impaired. They use sign language to communicate, but our school curriculum fails to reflect this common mode of communication. Sign language is neither widely taught, nor is it recognised in critical public sectors like healthcare and law enforcement.
Research reveals that there is no unified curriculum for sign language learners at any educational level in Pakistan. This makes it very hard for people with disabilities to communicate effectively and increases risk of discrimination, denying them access to basic rights, information and opportunities.
It is the duty of policymakers to make sign language more accessible to people with or without disabilities by introducing training programs in educational institutions. Furthermore, interpreters should be hired by media institutes to promote sign language and encourage inclusivity.
Syeda Arfa Ali
Karachi
