The Delta State Association of the Deaf (DSAD) has called on the Delta State Government to deploy sign language interpreters in schools, hospitals and other public institutions across the state to remove communication barriers confronting deaf persons.
The association made the call during an advocacy rally in Asaba as part of activities marking the 2026 Delta State Association of the Deaf Awareness Week and South-South Deaf People Summit.
The programme, themed “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights – Advancing Deaf People’s Human Rights; Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges for a Stronger South-South,” focused on promoting the rights, accessibility, inclusion and participation of deaf persons in society.
Speaking through an interpreter, DSAD Chairman, Comrade Nwani Jesudile, stressed the need for greater inclusion of deaf persons in government programmes, education, empowerment initiatives and other opportunities.
Jesudile said access to sign language was essential to enabling deaf persons to communicate effectively and access critical public services, particularly healthcare, education and government services.
He urged the state government to ensure the availability of sign language interpreters in hospitals, schools and other public institutions, noting that effective communication was fundamental to the full participation of deaf persons in society.
He also called for the inclusion of deaf persons in government empowerment programmes and other development initiatives, stressing that they should be provided with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the development of Delta State.
The Secretary-General of DSAD, Barr. Edirin Aruokpere, said the focus of the 2026 Deaf Awareness Week went beyond a general discussion of human rights to specifically address Deaf People’s Human Rights and accessibility through sign language.
Aruokpere said the programme was designed to highlight the communication gap between the hearing and Deaf communities, particularly in accessing essential public services.
She called on the Delta State Government to intensify efforts to ensure that basic sign language skills were acquired by essential personnel across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to her, equipping government workers with basic sign language skills would improve communication between public institutions and deaf citizens and make services in healthcare, education, justice, social welfare and other sectors more accessible.
She stressed that deaf persons should not be denied access to public services simply because service providers were unable to communicate with them in sign language.
Aruokpere further described sign language accessibility as an important component of inclusion and the protection of the human rights of deaf persons.
Also speaking, the South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Comrade Henry Obrutu, said the inclusion of the South-South Deaf People Summit made the programme particularly significant.
Obrutu said the summit, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges for a Stronger South-South,” provided a platform for deaf persons and stakeholders across the region to discuss common challenges, strengthen collaboration and advance the inclusion of deaf people.
He added that the summit would encourage stronger partnerships among Deaf associations, government institutions, civil society organisations and other stakeholders in promoting the rights and welfare of deaf persons across the South-South region.
As part of the advocacy activities, members of DSAD visited the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the Chike Edozien Secretariat, where they presented their concerns and demands to government representatives.
Receiving the association at the Government House, the Chief of Staff to the Delta State Governor, Mr. Johnson Erijo, said the state government remained committed to supporting the awareness week.
Erijo said government had taken steps towards supporting the programme and reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive governance and ensuring that persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups were accommodated in the affairs of the state.
At the Chike Edozien Secretariat, the association met with the Director, Department of Rehabilitation, Delta State Ministry of Women Affairs, Mr. Odie Michael, who commended the members for conducting the advocacy peacefully.
Michael assured the association that the state government would continue to do its best to address its concerns and support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare and inclusion of deaf persons.
Similarly, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG, Mr. Lucky Nkemachor, assured the association that government would give due attention to its demands.
Nkemachor said the advocacy was important in raising awareness about the rights of deaf persons and promoting an inclusive society where persons with disabilities could participate meaningfully in the development of the state.
The Delta State Association of the Deaf said it would continue to engage government and other stakeholders constructively to promote greater accessibility, inclusion and equal participation for deaf persons.
The association maintained that providing access to sign language in schools, hospitals, government offices and other essential public institutions would help break communication barriers and advance a society where deaf and hearing persons can participate on an equal basis.
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