UNAD - Deaf people in Uganda

Eight Tech Consults Ltd Verified account @8TechConsults · Oct 20

In partnership with @UCC_Official
and @UNADeaf, @8TechConsults recently
conducted a needs assessment under the “Digitisation and Standardisation of Uganda Sign Language and Digital Inclusion of the Deaf Community in Uganda” project across the country.

The assessment examined current use and accessibility of Uganda Sign Language, identified gaps and barriers faced by Deaf community in Uganda, in accessing information and digital services across the Health, Education, Justice and Policy sectors.

Key findings revealed 3 critical gaps:

1️⃣ Many healthcare workers lack Uganda Sign Language skills, creating communication difficulties when Deaf persons seek medical attention. This limits effective interaction between patients and health professionals.

2️⃣ Despite policies supporting the education of learners with disabilities, many teachers lack the sign language skills needed to support Deaf learners. The assessment also revealed limited exposure to assistive technologies among some learners, alongside stigma and low community awareness that continue to affect educational access and participation.

3️⃣ The absence of a national standard for Uganda Sign Language remains a key challenge, raising concerns about consistent language use, recognition and protection across institutions and communities.

🤔 What needs to change?

🟢Integration of sign language into secondary and tertiary education, health-related, social work and Police programmes

🟢Equipping teachers with sign language skills and introducing basic signing in schools from an early age

🟢Strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the standardisation and protection of Uganda Sign Language

🟢Sustained community sensitisation to address stigma and promote inclusion

“There should be deliberate efforts to train teachers in sign language so that Deaf learners are meaningfully included in the classroom,” an education stakeholder in Kapchorwa suggested.

📌Way forward?

The insights gathered will inform efforts to develop standardised Uganda Sign Language resources and more accessible digital solutions, helping reduce communication barriers and improve Deaf persons’ access to essential information and digital services.

#UGSLStandardisation #DeafInnovations #DeafInclusion

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