Sign Language Interpreters Introduced in Belize’s House of Representatives

Another milestone observed in yesterday’s house meeting was the introduction of sign language interpreters. The move is a part of GOB’s push for great inclusivity and support for the community of persons with disabilities. Speaker of the House of Representatives Valerie Woods spoke about the initiative and other measures undertaken to improve information sharing.  

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House of Representatives: “This is an initiative that we’re taking to first understand the logistics behind it. They are certified sign interpreters and then from there to extrapolate what it would take to have this become a regular feature of house meetings in order that those in our community who communicate by sign language can now participate in the House meetings. I’d like to thank the Cayo Deaf Institute. I’d also like to thank Ms.Christie Alemeida of the Special Education Unit from the Ministry of Education who has been working with our office for some months in trying to get this accomplished. May I add she did not hesitate when I raised the suggestion and this suggestion was brought members  because of the experience really had by the youth parliament and we determined to see how we can take that initiative one step further.”

Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos Garcia says the endeavor could not have commenced at a better time. She says that it was in light of international disabilities week and touched on the importance of being inclusive as a nation. 

Dolores Balderamos Garcia, Minister of Human Development, Families and Indigenous People’s Affairs: “Let me commend all those who have had to do with a successful disability week in particular I want to single out two individuals Mr.Marshall Nunez our Disability Desk Coordinator. As I have always said he’s a great advocate and I think they had a very successful I’m sorry I could not have been there but they had a very successful rally the other day and I heard the school children in the background I didn’t see the whole video but I think that rally was great. The other individual I want to single out is Ms.Christie Almeida of the Special Education Desk of the Ministry of Education. As you know she’s a fantastic advocate you know ? She is the director of Autism Belize but also has had significant input to the draft legislation on disabilities which we are hoping to introduce in another month or two. The legislation is almost ready but Cabinet did ask us to go and consult with the Central Building Authority and the Engineers of the Ministry of Infrastructure to see what amount of time we would give to public buildings to make say wheelchair accessible or I mean I was told that an elevator is a hugely expensive item so not everybody might be able to put in an elevator but if you could have a lift or a little ramp or just a way of getting into the public space or building and you know that I had my personal experience when I had my knee surgeries I was not able to make the stairs whatsoever. So it is very important and to mention that through the efforts of Ms.Christie Almeida and others we got persons from the Deaf Institute to do the signing of the proceedings in the National Assembly I think that’s a significant bit of progress because although we are sitting there and we don’t know what all the hand movements are if somebody is watching on the television and usually on the screen you have the person who is signing at the side of the screen so that a deaf person would be able to say “Oh that’s what they’re saying.” and to me that is a significant bit of progress.”

Balderamos added that the National Assembly is exploring measures to have interpreters at all future house meetings.