Learning a new language is a great achievement, but it’s even more fulfilling and empowering to have sign language as a real trump card in engaging effective communication.
As we join the rest of the world in marking International Sign language Day under the theme“We Sign For Human Rights,” Kenya has made great milestones.
Sign language has been acknowledged in the 2010 constitution.
This has advocated for its place in our society from mass media by delivering news, being taught in schools hence creating awareness and appreciation of it and fully aligning ourselves to the UN goal to be able to realize human rights in the world.
Sign language has played a critical role in ensuring that it has bridged the gap between those with hearing impairment and others.
Being able to communicate and access information is enhanced as the barrier is resolved.
It is an avenue that shows the inclusivity of the minority groups and an effort to lessen any misunderstanding.
The integration of it in all formal settings and services such as access to justice and healthcare has become a way of life and makes people curious to learn the Kenya sign language, interacting with each other at the basic level.
Learning sign language is beneficial as it has even created job opportunities for many people.
It is an area where youth can tap into as many fields in our society have started to embrace it and adopting it as the new institutions' culture.
World Federation of Deaf estimates that around 72 million people use sign language.
Short courses in sign language can be taken and anyone can learn it.
Let's learn it and use it more frequently in our day to day life even when not required by circumstances as this will make our society sign language literate.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
