Signing of Sign Language Bill a victory for the deaf: SAHRC

Local, News, VOC News

July 22, 2023

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent signing of the Sign Language Bill into law is victory for the deaf community.

It has described as historic the making of Sign Language the country’s 12th official language.

SAHRC Commissioner, Andre Gaum, says they are assessing the implications to ensure that institutions make services accessible to those who use sign language.

“It is a victory for the realising of the rights of people with disabilities, specifically deaf people. This will of course have huge implications. The Human Rights Commission has also started to assess the implications for the state in particular but also for itself, because sign language will have to be offered at state institutions also at the Human Rights Commission to make these institutions and it services more accessible to deaf people.”

Deaf society welcomes law

The enactment of Sign Language as the 12th official language in South Africa has also been welcomed by the deaf society.

The Efata School For The Blind and Deaf near Mthatha in the Eastern Cape says this is not only an achievement for the country, but for the entire continent.

Source: SABC News