By IANS
Harare : The African Rehabilitation Institute (ARI) plans to develop a uniform sign language for sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate communication among people with hearing and speech impairments, BuaNews agency reported Tuesday.
Regional rehabilitation officer Engelbert Makanjera said the institute wanted to ensure that people with hearing and speech impairments would be able to communicate when they travel across the continent, as part of a broader policy to help in addressing challenges faced by people with disabilities.
He said that with increasing economic activities and relaxation of visa requirements among countries in the region, more people with hearing and speech impairments are joining in trans-border trade.
A common sign language is important, among other things, to make sure easy communication among such groups is not hampered, the official said.
“We want to have a co-ordinated approach to sign language,” said Makanjera.
Makanjera said the institute would work with various related entities in the region to develop the uniform sign language.
The ARI would push for development of national disability policies in the countries of the region this year to address challenges facing people with disabilities.