E.S.L.F. COMMENCES SIGN LANGUAGE TRAINING FOR STAFF TO ENHANCE INCLUSION FOR PLWDs.

The Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (E.S.L.F.) today commenced a sign language training for all categories of its staff to build their capacity in special communication towards enhanced inclusion for Persons Living with Disabilities particularly the hearing-impaired.

Sign language expert and the ESLF Desk Officer for Persons Living With Disabilities, Philomena Tyoban, who facilitated the training said, learning sign language helps to bridge the communication gaps that exist between the hearing and the hearing impaired and enhances people’s ability to listen as well as pay attention to details.

She added that expertise in sign language, also introduces one to a whole new culture, enabling one to interact with new sets of people and be better prepared to render assistance when necessary among other benefits.

The Programme Manager of ESLF, Mr. Tine Agernor, pointed out that the training was in line with ESLF’s commitment to staff development and positive disposition towards PLWDs.

He expressed hope that in two years, all staff would have become well-versed in sign language as to step down the special skill learnt to other persons with the ultimate intent to widen the space for greater inclusion of persons with hearing impairment.

According to a World Health Organisation 2018 research presented by the Speech Pathologists and Audiologists Association in Nigeria (SPAAN), “around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and 34 million of these are children.”

The study also revealed that “people with hearing loss benefit from…sign language and other forms of education and social support.”

Clearly, the ESLF Sign Langauage Project (E-SLANG) is in line with this global best practice and aligns with the core pillar upon which the SDGs were made, that no persons be left behind.

#ESLFCapacityBuilding #SignLanguageTraining #NAD #ADI #SDELI #WHO #UNESCO