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1 June 2006: No 27/06

TSWANE SIGN LANGUAGE CENTRE WILL HOST SIGN LANGUAGE COURSE OVER THE PERIOD 24-28 JULY 2006

The DOD is obliged by the Integration National Disability Strategy to design strategies that seek to provide people with communication disabilities with equal opportunities for access to information and services.

The Sign Language Course to be conducted by the Tshwane Sign Language Centre at the Naval Mess over the period 24-28 July 2006 will emphasise the fact that the rights of people with disabilities are protected by the Constitution.

Secondly, all Government Departments and State bodies have a responsibility to ensure that in each line function concrete steps are taken to make sure that people with disabilities are able to access the same fundamental rights and responsibilities as any other South African.

The course will strengthen the understanding of the importance of education vis-a- vis access to public services, communication and forms an integral part of the equalisation of opportunities for people with communication disabilities, such as deaf people, and people with speech, and visual disabilities.

Sign language is the first and natural language of deaf people, whatever the spoken language of his/her hearing parents may be.

Sign language is the central focus of deaf people’s human rights.

This five days Sign Language course is designed to enable the DOD leadership elements to learn the basic sign language skills which focuses on Defence Force context and vocabulary.

The course will highlight the integral part of sign language as the service of the interpreter to deaf people and people with limited or no speech.

The services will enable the deaf to communicate freely with society, and will be an essential element in the achievement of equal opportunities for people with communication disabilities. These services include sign language interpreters, lip speakers, note takers and communication facilitators.

The course is also meant to equip DOD members to communicate with the deaf people they come across in their daily work and seeks to show the impact disability on the disabled person and his/her family.

The course will highlight the communication needs of deaf people and will deal with culture and history of sign language the philosophy behind it and various linguistic issues.

The cost per student is R1 300,00 for five days, which includes study material, the examination fee, a sign language tutorial CD and certificate.

Course expenses should be paid over to the Tshwane Sign Language Centre on the day of registration. Nominations are awaited by interested members or employees from the Services and Divisions and must be fully motivated and approved by the applicable authorities.

Students outside Gauteng must arrange their own accommodation. Nominations are to reach this Chief Directorate by no later than 8 July 2006.

Enquiries: Ms R.A. Hlabela @ (012) 355-5283, Ms A.E. Snyman @ (012) 355-5276 or Mr S.V. Shabalala @ (012) 355-5194, Fax (012) 355-6259.