Educational and Sign Language Interpreters Association of Nigeria (ESLIAN) on Monday urged government to regulate practitioners of sign language interpretation to curb quacks in the profession.
Its lamented that sign language interpretation practitioners lack some expectations and criteria to be called professionals.
Speaking at the 4th Biennial International Conference of ESLIAN at Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, ESLIAN President, Oladipupo Omobosola, said the major criteria and expectation of sign language as a profession is the regulatory programme, adding that every profession is regulated for standardisation.
The theme of the conference was: “Expanding Access: Embracing evolving interpreting pedagogy for equitable education for the deaf.”
According to Omobosola, there should be a body or a system that will determine whether a sign language interpreter has what it takes to practice or not.
He said: “Another thing we are lacking is the educational program. For you to be a professional, you must have been trained in formal education sector through a program.
“You cannot become a lawyer without going to a law school, you cannot call yourself a barrister unless you are called to the bar.
“Personally, as President of this association, I’m saying that the system is not there to qualify some of us as a professional, yet, we are practicing.
“So, if we are practicing and we must operate at global level, then, we must imbibe principle of professionalism because that is what brings us together as an association.”
Chairman of the event, Prof. Adeolu Akande said difficulty in hearing should not limit a hearing impaired students from doing great exploits in life.
He commended organiser of the programme saying FCE, Special, Oyo is ranked among one of the best colleges of education in Nigeria due to its efforts in training students with special needs.
Provost of the College, Dr. Rauf Salami, said sign language was very essential for the deaf to discuss and communicate.
He stated that the college has trained many Nigerians who have hearing impairments to access to higher education.