FEDOMA on calls for sign language formalisation amid International Deaf Week.

A disability rights advocate has echoed calls for the government and the private sector to formalize sign language in offices and institutions to accommodate the needs of individuals with disabilities and promote a more inclusive and accessible environment.

The plea comes and Malawi joins the rest of the world in commemorating this year’s International week of Deaf People-IWDP and the international day of sign language-IDSL.

IDSL is observed annually on 23rd September, while IWDP will run from 23rd to 29th of this month.

These global events aim to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in realizing the full rights of Deaf people.

According to executive director of the Federation of Disability Organizations in Malawi-FEDOMA Simon Munde formalizing sign language will ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to information and opportunities in the workplace and beyond.

“It is great that already this time around the laws of the land are actually recognize the sign language as an official language.The most important thing is for really different players, the government itself, the private sector, the civil society to really make sure that we popularize sign language so that whenever persons who are coming to our offices, our premises, they should be able to get the service that is being offered in our institutions without any kind of barriers” Munde emphasised.

Meanwhile, activities marking the event will be held in Ntchisi district however the Ministry of Gender, community development and social welfare is yet to inform the public on the dates of the commemoration event.