By Angela Atabo
Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN), has canvassed for the provision of sign language interpreters and visual aids in hospitals for easy access to healthcare.
The President of DWAN, Helen Beyioku-Alase, made the call at the second National Deaf Women Summit themed` `Empowering Deaf Women, Empowering Voices’’, organised on Tuesday in Abuja.
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Beyioku-Alase also called for the need to develop digital healthcare tools that catered specifically to deaf individuals.
She said, “Building an accessible and equitable healthcare system for deaf women to achieve inclusion in healthcare access.
”A new world of work must be constructed that is fully accessible, equitable, and supportive of their unique needs.
“This new framework should include providing sign language interpreters and visual aids in healthcare settings, as well as developing digital healthcare tools that cater specifically to Deaf individuals.
“Furthermore, is the need to educate and train healthcare professionals in Deaf culture and communication.
“Highly consequential is also the need for more employment opportunities for Deaf women within the healthcare sector.’’
Beyioku-Alase said it was also high time that laws and policies recognised deaf women and girls’ contribution to unpaid care.
According to her, public policies should enforce the provision of accessible healthcare, ensuring deaf women’s rights are upheld and that they can access quality healthcare without discrimination.
She said that although much progress has been made in the upward mobility of deaf women nationwide and in raising awareness of their rights, some barriers still existed.
She said, “There remain ongoing challenges such as limited access to quality health care, discrimination and legal protection, especially in areas relating to sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence.
“Therefore, the summit highlights the importance of not only equipping Deaf women with the skills necessary for personal and professional growth but also amplifying their voices.
“The theme suggests a focus on creating opportunities for them and to advocate for their participation in decision-making, and assert their presence tit various spheres of life, particularly in health care.’’
Beyioku-Alase said through empowerment, the event aims to cultivate resilience, leadership and advocacy to ensure that deaf women are heard, respected, and included in conversations.
She said these were around key assets such as gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health, leadership development, and strategic governance.
Also speaking, Mr Lawrence Idemudia, the acting Director, Social Integration Department, National Disability Commission, commended DWAN for putting together the summit aimed at amplifying the voices of deaf women and girls.
Idemudia added that the commission works to empower persons with disabilities and has equipped deaf women with skills and businesses in some areas.
He said, “We are trying to make people know that deafness is no longer an object of pity but to shower their talents and make their problem known and they are not left behind.
“In our Commission, we are partnering with them to know their issues and to build our existing relationship.
”So, far we have empowered them , given some of them scholarships and also distributed POS machines.’’(NAN)
