Irish Sign Language now official language as Bill 2016 is passed
By Mary Dennehy
IN MID-December the Irish Sign Language Bill 2016 was passed, and last week The Echo asked staff of DeafHear in Tallaght what this means to them.
The Bill contains a number of important sections that will make a difference to the lives of deaf people, such as the recognition of Irish Sign Language (ISL) as an official language.
ISL is used by more than 5,000 members of the deaf community and by thousands of others to communicate with them, with the campaign to have ISL recognised by the State as an official language led by the Irish Deaf Society.
The new Bill recognises the right of a deaf person to use ISL and places a duty on public bodies to provide free interpretation.
The Bill also provides for the provision of access support to events, services and activities for users of ISL and to provide deaf people with interpretation in social, educational and cultural events such as, for example, when a deaf person has a GP appointment.
While the passing of the Bill is welcomed and has been described as a “game-changer”, campaigners believe that there could be some battles in ensuring that these rights are fully realised across all aspects of citizens’ lives – education, employment, social and cultural life.
Shane Keogh, a staff member at DeafHear in Exchange Hall, Tallaght, which supported the campaign, told The Echo: “I was delighted with ISL passed as an official language.
“It is great to know all public bodies are now aware of deaf rights to access to their language of ISL to gain knowledge and to communicate with them.
“Deaf people are now able to gain access to hospital, legal court, education (right to have deaf parent meeting with teacher) and public events.”
However, Shane believes that there is still ground to cover and raised the issue of private hospitals being exempt from having interpreters, especially private nursing homes where there could be a vulnerable, deaf older person.
Adult Education night classes are also exempt as many are funded privately.
While there are still aspects that need to be examined to ensure that members of the deaf community have equal access and equal rights, Shane believes that this is the start of a “new chapter” in his life as he is recognised for who he is in Ireland and across the world.
Based in Tallaght for the past 15 years, the local branch of DeafHear covers all of South Dublin County, Kildare and Wicklow, providing a comprehensive service for deaf and hard of hearing people and their families.
Some of the services and activities include children and teenage camps, parent coffee mornings, lip reading classes, technology for deaf and hard of hearing people and an outreach clinic.
For further details visit www.deafhear.ie or call 4620377.
