House of Representatives, 1 June – Government spokesperson reveals that the government is driving forward state policy proposals, supporting the MSD to open community sign language interpreter training courses. Increase opportunities to promote the potential of the hearing impaired
Mr. Chai Watcharong, spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office, revealed that the government through the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSD) has aimed to accelerate the production of community sign language interpreters to be sufficient to serve people with disabilities in 2024 by opening Community Sign Language Interpreter Training Program, 135 hours, in collaboration with Rajasuda Institute Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital Mahidol University and Suan Dusit University To provide staff at the Provincial Disabled Service Center Sign language interpreter service unit Agencies that provide sign language interpreting services and those interested in being able to communicate with hearing impaired people wh
o come to receive services. and further lead to taking an exam to assess knowledge and skills as a sign language interpreter. To register more community sign language interpreters It also promotes understanding of disability problems. and mobilize support For the dignity, rights, and welfare of people with disabilities
A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office further said that Mr. Settha Thavisin, the Prime Minister and the government, places importance on equality for all groups of people. At the Cabinet meeting on April 2, 2024, a resolution was passed to acknowledge and approve. “Policy proposals for the crisis of population and aging society” and assigned relevant agencies to jointly drive the said policy proposals, which are proposals to increase opportunities and enhance the value of people with disabilities. It is also one of the policy proposals which the government through the MSD has driven for state welfare. To strengthen all citizens to be equal. Have the potential to pursue a career, have inc
ome, and have a good quality of life. To improve the quality of life of all Thai people By striving for business establishments including government agencies Provide opportunities for the hearing impaired has shown potential By opening a training course for community sign language interpreters To provide comprehensive services to the hearing impaired. which is being a sign language interpreter It is considered an occupation that provides income to support oneself. Moreover, at present most sign language interpreters are in Bangkok and surrounding areas. Such a project Therefore, it is a distribution of the potential to access state welfare. and can reduce inequality in society
‘Government and civil society The most important goal is ‘Leave no one behind’: Leave no one behind, with all people playing an important part in pushing Thailand forward together, including people in various groups of people with disabilities. Currently, people with disabilities who are registered Have a disability identification card
There are a total of 2,304,268 people, of whom 427,363 are hearing or communication impaired (as of 30 April 2024). For the implementation of the sign language interpreter training project, MSD has organized training between May – August 2024, totaling 6 batches. Each batch has 30 people, a total of 180 people, with a target group of 77 provinces, especially staff working at service centers for the disabled. or every provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security Currently, there are over 500 people interested in participating in the project to train the next generation of sign language interpreters. The goal is to produce over 40,000 sign language interpreters in order to have enough sign language interpreters to serve people with disabilities and to be able to pass. Evaluate knowledge and skills as community sign language interpreters according to the regulations set forth and register as more community sign language interpreters,’ Mr. Chai said.
Source: Thai News Agency