Humaidan meets the Vice President of the Arab Organization for Sign Language Interpreters

09-10-2019

His Excellency the Minister of Labour and Social Development, Mr Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, met in his office with the Vice President of the Arab Organisation for Sign Language Interpreters from the sisterly State of Kuwait, Dr Mohammed Al Ramzi, in the presence of the President of the Bahraini Society for the Deaf, Mrs Salma Ahmed Al Asfoor, and a number of members of the Society’s Board of Directors. The meeting coincided with the organisation of the Professional Translation Standards Course for Sign Language Interpreters “Sila”, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain from 4 to 7 October 2019. During the meeting, participants reviewed the course’s principal outcomes and objectives, notably the training and qualification of professional interpreters to enable them to work effectively with people with hearing disabilities. Joint coordination was also undertaken to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Society and the Organisation to cooperate in enhancing the efficiency of sign language interpreters in the Kingdom. Discussions further covered the latest technological developments and modern devices used by people with hearing disabilities. In this context, Humaidan stressed the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s growing attention to caring for people with disabilities and providing comprehensive education and care services. He reviewed national efforts to support people with hearing disabilities, emphasising that effective communication is a foundational element of rehabilitation services throughout enrolment in care centres, foremost among them the Shaikhan Centre for Comprehensive Speech. He also referred to the provision of hearing prosthetic devices, free driver training, and a range of services delivered in cooperation with the private sector, including discounts on specified services for holders of the disability card issued by the Ministry for all people with disabilities. He noted that such specialised training courses will enhance the quality of services provided to this group. For his part, Al Ramzi praised the services provided by the Kingdom of Bahrain to persons with disabilities, noting that the “Sila” course on professional translation standards for sign language interpreters reflects the official and societal interest in supporting people with disabilities. He added that strengthening communication skills facilitates interaction and integration into society for people with hearing disabilities.