Sign Language interpreters of the Maryknoll Deaf Development Programmehave been provided interpretation service in educational videos created by the Cambodian government.
Viewing the nightly news on TV or social media videos that do not have sign language interpreters leaves people who are deaf feeling frustrated, left out, confused and anxious, said programme staffers, reports The Catholic Universe.
“Having accessible information for people who are deaf has been a new development in Cambodia,” said KeatSokly, co-director of the Deaf Development Programme. “In the past year, the country’s deaf individuals who understand Cambodian Sign Language have had more access to current events and news reports.”
He credits a push by Prime Minister Hun Sen “to include interpreters for people who are deaf in TV news programmes, where they now appear in the bottom right corner of the screen.”
The Maryknoll programme also helped to create a public service video that specifically addresses the deaf population. On 3rd April, the Cambodian Ministry of Social Affairs, the Department of Welfare of People With Disabilities and the World Health Organisation shared the video with essential information related to Covid-19: knowing the symptoms, how to avoid catching the virus, and what people should do if they think they have the virus.
