The Ministry of Gender and Family concludes the Ninth and Tenth Basic Sign Language Training Programme for Public Service Providers. The 10-day training, conducted in two phases for a total of 71 participants, aims to facilitate easier access to services by minimizing communication barriers faced by persons with hearing impairments.
Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Maldives National University (MNU) this afternoon, Minister of State for Gender and Family Dr Marium Jabyn highlighted that there is a significant number of persons with hearing impairments and speech disabilities, and noted that the absence of service providers who are able to communicate with such persons, is unacceptable. She further stated that all public service providers should have the skills to communicate with persons with special needs.
The tenth programme of the training, held from 30 January 2018 to 26 February 2018, was targeted at health professionals working in hospitals and clinics. In this regard, a total of 8 institutions from the health sector took part in this programme. These include, Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH), Tree Top Hospital, Senahiya, Maldives Blood Services, Noosandha, Central Clinic, Eve Clinic and Maya Clinic.
Employees from Ministry of Gender and Family, Maldives Ports Limited, Island Aviation Services, FENAKA Corporation Limited, Aasandha, National Social Protection Agency, State Trading Organization, Male’ Water and Sewerage Company, State Electric Company (STELCO), Maldives Transport and Contracting Company, Maldives Road Development Corporation, Maldives Police Service and Ghiyasuddin International School also participated in the trainings. In addition, students from the Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Education of the Maldives National University also attended the trainings.
To date, the Ministry of Gender and Family has trained over 260 participants in both basic and advanced sign language programmes.
12 March 2018