Minister of Labour and Social Development the Hon. Dion Foulkes (seated left) looks on as Centre for Deaf Children, principal, Esther Nottage signs the agreement between the Ministry of Labour and Social Development through the Department of Social Services and Disability Affairs Division and the Broadcasting Corporation for ZNS television Channel 13 to provide signing services for the hearing impaired. Looking on is are General Manager, Bahamas Broadcasting Corporation, Edwin Lightbourn (seated right). Standing from left are Interpreter Certified, Ministry of Education, HR, Fayne Hudson; Director, Department of Social Services, Melanie Zonicle; and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour Harrison Thompson. (BIS photo/Letisha Henderson)

Nassau, Bahamas -- The Ministry of Labour and Social Development through the Department of Social Services and Disability Affairs Division signed an agreement with the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas to provide qualified interpreters to use sign language during special programs.  

The interpreters will begin signing during every newscast on ZNS television Channel 13 in August, Minister of Labour and Social Development the Hon. Dion Foulkes said during a press conference Tuesday.  

“Hearing impaired persons will no longer be deprived of vital information and will have full access to daily news and other important events,” he said.  

“The Ministry recognises the dire need to ensure that all citizens have access to important information which includes daily news, hurricane updates, national address by the Prime Minister and other Government officials and announcements of national concern."  

Mr Foulkes explained that the Ministry has agreed to fund the “new and progressive” signing programme on behalf of all persons in The Bahamas who are hearing impaired.  

“It is imperative for this sector of the Bahamian society to know what is happening in our beloved country and around the world,” he said.  

The Ministry will also begin discussions with all of the other television stations to “strike a reasonable financial arrangement” to have sign language on television stations throughout The Bahamas.  

“There is still much more to be done in order to ensure that persons with disabilities are positioned to access all of the basic services afforded to other persons through the introduction of pending legislation,” Mr Foulkes said.  

“With the introduction of this legislation, persons with disabilities will have their rights enshrined within our laws and will be afforded equal opportunity and full rights.”  

Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Michael Moss, said this is a welcomed step considering the mandate given it by the Government to transform ZNS into a public service broadcast station.  

“As a public service broadcaster, we must cater to the needs of our entire citizenry," he said.  "To date, the hearing impaired have been deprived of access to news and this step will give them that access.”  

The Broadcasting Corporation anticipates that as it moves towards digital upgrades, the deaf or hard of hearing will be able to read the news via closed caption, he said.  

Centre for Deaf Children, principal, Esther Nottage said the hearing impaired is grateful for the new service. It has been requesting the use of sign language for a long time.   

“Especially when its hurricane season," he said, "the deaf and the hard of hearing do not have to wait for second hand information. They can get the information first hand for themselves."