Seychelles parliament approves sign language as official national language
The Seychelles National Assembly has unanimously adopted a motion to make Seychelles Deaf Language an official national language, marking a significant milestone for the archipelago's hearing-impaired community.
Regina Esparon, the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS) member for Glacis, presented the motion on behalf of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus during Deaf Week 2024. Esparon highlighted that over 1,000 Seychellois are deaf or have hearing loss, emphasising the crucial role of sign language in their communication and integration into society.
The motion aims to empower deaf individuals by improving their access to education, employment opportunities, and public services. Members from both the LDS and United Seychelles parties expressed support for the initiative, stressing its importance for creating a more inclusive environment.
Anita Gardner, chairperson of the Association for People with Hearing Impairment, lauded the decision as a significant achievement that aligns governmental policy with international standards. She noted that the recognition of sign language as official would particularly benefit young people, making its inclusion in schools obligatory and offering all children the opportunity to learn it.
Source: Seychelles News Agency