Legislative Proposal by MP Nazlıaka: Sign Language Must Be Compulsory in Elementary School

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MP Aylin Nazlıaka has submitted a legislative proposal for making sign language compulsory in curriculum of elementary school.

Nazlıaka pointed out that though the official records showed the number of people with hearing disability as 3,5 million in Turkey, the figure was 4,2 million according to the non-governmental organisations.

In the preamble of the proposal, Nazlıaka has stated that people with impaired hearing couldn’t communicate with the majority of society. She adds that they are experiencing miscommunication in every part of their lives from grocery stores, markets and pharmacies to public transport vehicles and many more.   

Nazlıaka added that they experience difficulties in social services, as well. She mentioned that not being able to express oneself to a doctor is a major humanitarian problem far beyond not being able to benefit from social services.

“It is not just a language education”

Nazlıaka, has stated that sign language must be considered as an education that could positively affect society’s approach to people with hearing disabilities and not just a language education.

“Citizens without hearing disabilities knowing at least the basics of sign language would not only ease the lives of people with hearing disabilities, but would also speed up their integration process to the society.

“Things which are taught in the childhood, form also the lives of individuals. Therefore, this education must not be considered as just a language education. This education will positively affect society’s approach to people with hearing disabilities.

“Everyone must learn this language. But only the experts must undertake the teaching and translating. Otherwise in a trial, a person with hearing disability who is not guilty could even be found guilty because of mistranslation.”(NV/UA)