Deaf organisations advocated for more sign language interpretation platforms on NBC programmes.
They made the call during a visit to the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Director General and management.
While recognising the broadcaster's efforts for inclusivity with interpreters seen on news and some current affairs programmes, they urged the NBC management to include interpreters for educational and entertainment programmes.
Speaking through an interpreter, National Executive Director of the Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), Paul Nanyeni, pointed out specific programmes such as parliament sessions and Business Today that urgently need a sign language interpreter.
"Even on Business Today, I look at it. I look at the topic, which is very interesting, but there is no interpreter. And many Namibian deaf people would want to become entrepreneurs; they can participate in the programme because there is no interpreter. So we want to; now that we are here, we can discuss, and we are also happy to see different departments and different leaders of departments for them to also know that when they go back and start doing their programme, they know how to also include and make accessibility for all."
The organisation says while access to education exists, true equality is missing due to a lack of qualified interpreters.
They noted that the government lacks sufficient training services for qualified interpreters.
Although the association attempts to train interpreters, they lack full government support.
President of the Deaf Empowerment Organisation (DEO), Martin Tjivera, calls on the NBC to advocate and highlight the challenges faced by the deaf community.
"Honourable Ms Alexia, in 2023, she has given a motion that Namibian sign language must be recognised, and also, an interpreter must also be a parliament. Now, today, it has been three years; nothing has been implemented. Maybe the government thinks that the deaf people are not important, or they cannot say that there is no money. How many deaf people are in parliament? All of them are hearing; there is no one deaf. At least what they can do for us is get us an interpreter. When the country is developing or when they are making policies, we are not included. We should not be left behind?"
The Director-General of NBC Menesia Muinjo emphasised the importance of ensuring the deaf community is not left behind in information dissemination.
She tasked the NBC management to implement some of the requests immediately and plan accordingly for sign language interpretation inclusion on various NBC platforms.
"Our planning as NBC: We have already done a few baby steps, but going forward, how do we ensure that they form part of our agenda in terms of information dissemination and that they are not left behind?"