By United Nations General resolution (A/RES/72/161) “[t]he … General Assembly proclaimed [and established] 23 September as the International Day of Sign languages in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf.”
In the following interview, we ask Mrs. Sonja Rolle questions about this international day and generally about people in The Bahamas who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Interviewer: Mrs. Rolle, thank you for agreeing to this interview. I believe that it is safe to say that you are part of the deaf community. How did you initially become introduced or connected to the deaf community in The Bahamas and how are you involved now?
Rolle: I was introduced to the Deaf and hard of hearing in The Bahamas while attending the College of the Bahamas in 1977. Presently I am the Principal of the only school for the Deaf in The Bahamas which is located in New Providence.
Interviewer: The Bahamas is comprised of multiple inhabited islands. Are there deaf people living on any other island besides New Providence? If yes then please share which islands and the number of people if you are aware.
Rolle: Yes, there are deaf living on other islands besides New Providence. In Grand Bahama there are about 4 students that are presently integrated in the regular school with one teacher of the deaf and a teacher’s aide. There are also deaf living on Eleuthera and Andros who are school age with special instructions. Other deaf have not been identified at this time because the proper screening is not available.
Interviewer: Is there a national organisation or regional organisations that connect deaf people in The Bahamas? And what about in the Americas? Are there any international organisations that connect the deaf community?
Rolle: The Bahamas has a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities that advocate for the needs of the Deaf.
Interviewer: Today, 23 September, is observed as International Sign Languages Day. What are some of the programmes or projects that the deaf community has organised this year to raise awareness of the importance of sign languages?
Rolle: Ms. Erin Brown who works at the Disabilities Desk at the University of The Bahamas, is working with the school with advertisements on television stations and social media.
Interviewer: According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are more than 70 million deaf people worldwide and collectively they use more than 300 sign languages. Would you categorise sign languages as separate and distinct languages similar to English, Chinese Mandirin, or Yoruba? Please explain.
Rolle: Yes, sign language is a distinct language with its own syntax and semantics. It is learned naturally by the Deaf.
Interviewer: Is sign language respected as a separate language in The Bahamas or this region, the Americas?
Rolle: In The Bahamas sign language is considered a dialect or broken English.
Interviewer: Fernand de Varennes, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues said on 11 March, 2020 when presenting his latest report to the Human Rights Council in Genevan that “[c]hildren from linguistic minorities should be taught in their own mother tongue…”. Do you agree with this? To what extent is education (i.e. pre-school, primary, secondary, and tertiary level) being offered to deaf children using their mother tongue, Sign Language?
Rolle: I believe this to be true. My school started as an oral school where students were not taught sign language. Later we taught them using exact English. Today we are seeing the need to introduce our students first to their native language.
Interviewer: If I was deaf and I use sign language as a means of communications, which government services will I be able to access using sign language? Does this provide deaf people with adequate access to public services?
Rolle: Presently there is one Deaf interpreter working at the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development.
Interviewer: How has these limited services generally impacted the lives of deaf people through The Bahamas?
Rolle: It causes frustration especially to those who are unable to read and write.
Interviewer: Are there any institutions that offer Sign Language classes? When and where?
Rolle: Classes are offered by the Centre for the Deaf, Interpreter/ parent and the three churches that have deaf Ministries.
Interviewer: We are all living through the COVID-19 Pandemic. Was there and is there a need to provide targeted COVID-19 related communications for people who are deaf?
Rolle: Information related to COCID 19 was always in sign language by the interpreter working at Social Services.
Interviewer: In the view of the deaf community, are deaf people embraced or included as part of the larger bahamian society? I am specifically referring to social, economic and political inclusion of the deaf community as identified in Goal 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Are deaf people generally hopeful for meaningful change in the short term over the next 2-3 years?
Rolle: The simple answer is No, however we are making baby steps with the assistance of jobs and entry into tertiary education.
Interviewer: Thank you once again for agreeing to this interview. As we close, is there anything about this day or topic that you wish to share?
Rolle: The deaf and hard of hearing are still without a school/headquarters that they can call their own. Presently we are working out of rented facilities. The school’s committee is in the process of purchasing a building for this group.
Interviewer: Thank you and wishing you all the best with your plans and looking forward to us talking again soon.
Please feel free to direct any questions or comments to Kean Smith at kean@smithkas.com
This was so enlightening Mr. Smith. I started learning this language years ago and will consider how I can help and bring awareness to the inadequacies of this community!
Blessings to you.
Blessings to you. I believe and hope that your interest and desire will go a long way in decreasing inequalities and allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to be further embraced or included as part of the larger bahamian society … i.e. socially, economically and politically.