Disability Champions have called for the sign language studies to be inculcated in the basic education curriculum to help better socialization and belongings among the deaf population.
They indicated that the absence of of sign language in the curriculum a major factor in the increased stigmatisation, marginalisation, and linguistic discrimination particularly against deaf children.
The champions made the call at a disability advocacy review meeting designed to develop achievable course correction strategies and recommendations for adoption by various Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA).
The event jointly put together by Hope for Future Generation (HFFG) and The Psykforum, both non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The meeting formed part of the Social and Behavioral Change Communication and Stigma Reduction for Mental Health and Disability Inclusion (SBCC) project under the Ghana Somubi Dwumadzi project.
Leading a group discussion, Reverend Ken Goode, Regional Secretary for the Ghana Federation for Persons with Disability (GFPD) said schools lacked a clear policy standardizing the use of sign language in both mainstream and special schools for the deaf.
This, he believes had thrown teaching and learning in disarray where teachers adopted varying approaches they deemed convenient for themselves.
He further said if the use of sign language could get a legal backing, efforts to ensure disability inclusion in the Ghanaian society would be made feasible.
On the provision of disability friendly facilities, the Secretary said ramps, elevators, parking lots and all other necessary equipment must be made readily available for PWDs to take advantage of.
He was quick to indicate that, disabled school children must in no way be exempted from actively participating in sporting activities in schools if their conditions could permit them.
He said going forward, derogatory names, stigmatization and all forms of exploitations leveled against PWDs must attract sanctions urging the MMDAs to draft bye laws that seeks to protect the marginalized in the society.
“No child or person should be killed as a result of their disability, sexual exploitation for one’s financial gains, let’s stops describing PWDS by their conditions while they have names, this is the right direction to go if indeed we want to create a stigma free Ghana” he added.
Ms Vivian Ama Aubyn, a Board Member of The Psykforum said these recommendations must be an awakening call for all particularly law makers in other to make Ghana a conducive place for all.
She further urged the disability champions not to relent on their stance when it come to disability safety , health and inclusions.
