When 6 months have already been completed since quarantine began in our country, where the use of masks has been one of the measures imposed worldwide, to prevent the contagion of Covid-19; we believe that the deaf community may be more communicatively isolated because it cannot read the lips of speakers.
This situation is only more aggravated when we realize that the measures to inform the community about this pandemic have not really been inclusive, so we have encountered false interpreters transmitting official and highly relevant information, or health care facilities that do not have to communicate with the deaf community, in the midst of this health crisis.
There are around 72 million deaf people in the world, while in Chile 16.7% of the population lives with a disability situation. Of these, 8.2% have deafness or hearing difficulties, according to the National Disability Survey (2015). This community has developed its own identity and has been fighting for years for the recognition and respect of sign language, as an official means of communication.
Although the Chilean Sign Language (LSCh) was recognized as a language of natural and official communication in Article 26 of Law 20.422, which establishes rules on equal opportunities and social inclusion of persons with disabilities, in 2010, large contextual gaps remain.
And to talk about the work landscape. Thanks to the creation of Law 21.015 on Labour Inclusion, many doors have been opened for people with disabilities, but by this same regulation, to this day it is not possible to ensure that labor inclusion processes are effective and lasting over time.
It is our duty as a society, to become aware of the deaf community in our country, performing cadastres who realize how many people require to interpret LSCh to communicate in their natural language, and that are granted for free, in addition to educating about it. To include really, starting from the base, teaching sign language in educational establishments, as compromised in the government’s plan of the current mandate “Gradually introduce sign language teaching in schools and high schools”. It is everyone’s job to break down gaps that do not allow social inclusion.
The content poured into this opinion column is the sole responsibility of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the editorial line or position of El Mostrador.
