Free Sign Language Training Course to Be Conducted for Journalists

A free sign language training course for journalists is to be conducted by the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities, operating under the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment.

The proposal for the programme was presented yesterday (30) to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, which met under the chairmanship of Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Dr. Upali Pannila. The proposal received the approval of the National Council.

Accordingly, arrangements are being made to conduct the course and award certificates before the end of this year.

The main objective of the programme is to provide persons with disabilities with better opportunities to communicate through the media. Another objective is to obtain greater support and contribution from the media towards building an inclusive society.

Plans are also underway to inform all journalists about the programme in the future.

As sign language has now been recognised as a major language, the National Council also agreed to launch a regulatory programme relating to the inclusion of sign language interpretation in television programmes.

It was further decided to introduce a dignified pension scheme for persons with disabilities in collaboration with the Social Security Board.

In addition, the Department of Social Services was assigned responsibility for intervening to create market opportunities for the sale of products manufactured by persons with disabilities through self-employment, including creative handicrafts and other products.

Members of the National Council, including Parliamentarian Sugath Wasantha de Silva, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Nalika Piyasena, Director of the Department of Social Services Darshani Karunaratne, and Director of the National Secretariat for Persons with Disabilities Jayamali Wickramarachchi, along with other members of the Council, participated in the meeting.