HIV TESTING WEEK
1st Draft
June 2013
Concept Paper on Sign Linguistics, Interpretation and
Translation CourseA Rationale for the Establishment of the Sign
Linguistics, Interpretation and Translation Course at SPU
1.0 BackgroundThe demand for qualified Kenyan Sign Language
(KSL) interpreters is rapidly growing and is impacting the deaf
community. Current indications are that Kenyan Sign Language (KSL)
will be the new emerging language in Kenya. The promulgated
constitution gives KSL preeminence on the clauses addressing issues
of persons with disabilities as a language of communication for the
Deaf in Kenya. The Kenya National Examination Council in January
2010 issued a circular making KSL an examinable subject in equal
stature with English and Kiswahili. There is also an increasing
number of students in Tertiary and Universities requiring the
services of qualified, certified and competent interpreters. Kenya
and the region is also budding with international conferences and
forums involving the Deaf citizens thus widening the opportunities
for interpreters.
Current training programs are unable to keep up with the
increased demand for highly-trained interpreters with a nationwide
interpreter shortage as the result. The Kenyan Sign Language
Interpreters Association (KSLIA), the national professional
associations of sign language interpreters, Kenya National
Association of the Deaf KNAD, Global Deaf Connections and the
Ministry of Education have also recognized the insufficient numbers
of interpreters available to meet the markets demand. The issues
identified have been the lack of interpreter training programs,
although some colleges, universities and private companies with
interpreter training programs are aware of the need for improved
quality and availability of training, many are simply unaware of
the extent of the interpreter shortage in the community.
The Deaf Aid project Kenya Registry of Interpreters and
Transliterates for the Deaf (KRITD) in its white paper declared a
national interpreter crisis in the quantity, quality and
qualifications of interpreters. This white paper identifies how
stakeholders can collaborate to marshal resources to increase and
improve interpreter training programs to help meet the urgent
demand to train larger numbers of new interpreters and upgrade the
qualifications of existing interpreters. The Persons with
Disabilities Act (PWD Act 2003) requires public institutions to
provide qualified readers or interpreters and other similar
accommodations for individuals with disabilities The major need is
in public schools and higher education, but health care providers,
hospitals, courts, public safety and other government offices are
also seeing increased demand.
Simultaneously, Deaf consumers of interpreting services have
become more informed and are demanding higher quality interpreting
services that meet their individual needs. Consumers and consumer
organizations have expressed interest in being substantively
involved in the identification, development, and delivery of the
educational opportunities provided through these proposed areas of
intervention. In order to train qualified interpreters to better
meet the demand from consumers and consumer organizations,
interpreter educators must be sufficient in number and be
knowledgeable of current best practices. To address these issues
and to contribute toward the education and training of a sufficient
number of qualified interpreters to meet the communications needs
of individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and individuals who
are Deaf-blind, the Regional Interpreters and Translators School
and its partners proposes to establish priorities for the provision
of educational activities for interpreters at all skill levels. The
goal is to improve the quality of interpreters in the field by
providing quality educational opportunities with consumer
involvement throughout the process and with a specific focus on
interpreters working with a variety of consumers in Kenya.
2.0 PurposeThe purpose of this framework is to champion the
training of currently practicing interpreters, train up coming
interpreters and provide the Kenyan sign language interpreters with
a forum for sharing knowledge and gain structured continued
professional education.
The objectives of the project will be to:-
a) Train sign language interpreters;
Ensure the maintenance of the skills of sign language
interpreters through continuing education;
Provide opportunities for sign language interpreters to raise
their level of competence through local and regional networking and
collaboration.
Strengthen capacity of sign language interpreter associations,
clubs or networks regionally, nationally
b) Develop information, education and communication materials
for sign language interpreter training
c) Develop interdisciplinary research on Sign Linguistics, Deaf
Education and Deaf cultureIt is envisioned that this project which
will be implemented through its partnership with key stakeholders
in the sign linguistics field and this will result in the
following:-
1. People will change their attitudes towards Sign Language and
the Deaf.
2. Communication between hearing people and the Deaf will be
enhanced.
3. Deaf people will have more or better access to information,
education, political and socioeconomic activities or
interactions.
4. Deaf Kenyans will have qualified and competent interpreters
available to give interpretation services in various settings
5. Deaf people will gain more confidence in the learning
process, self-expression, in communicating with hearing people and
in fighting for their rights.
6. Creation of employment opportunities for Deaf individuals as
trainers, and self-employment opportunities for interpreters after
training.
3.0 Target PopulationThe aim of this program will be to provide
the Kenyan Deaf and Deaf-blind community with a quality
interpretation service to enable effective communication with the
hearing community and insure sustainable employment ready pool of
qualified interpreters. Our target population will be:
1. Individuals who have some interpreting capability but lack
certification.2. Practicing interpreters with no academic or
professional qualifications
3. Family members and (volunteers) community interpreters
already working in various fields
4. College students who have some Kenyan Sign Language and are
eager joining the profession
Clear guideline will be set up by SPU and the stakeholders in
the admission conditionality and entry criteria.
4.0 Process and StrategiesWe believes that a comprehensive Sign
Linguistics, Interpretation and Translation course will be the best
rationale and strategy to gain support within the local and
political community of the interpreters and Deaf in Kenya. Economic
development is a high priority for most interpreters currently
practicing they believe they need to investing in areas that will
provide high paying job resulting in positive economic impact. We
hopes to fulfill this need by:4.1 Training Master
Trainers/MentorsThis will be a select group of resource persons
trained and prepared for the program.
4.2 Publicity and Mobilisation and RecruitmentSPU will use its
websites, forums and brochures to market the course and recruit
students and popularize the profession.
4.3 Testing and Referral for quality and certificationSPU
working with professional bodies in examinations, testing and
quality to ensure the graduates are of high quality and competent
in the areas of interpretation and translation service
delivery.
4.4 Development and collection of IEC materialsSPU, trainers,
students and graduates will contribute to the development and
collection of information, education and communication materials
for use in training and referencing.
4.5 Monitoring and EvaluationConducting education needs
assessments and, based on the results, developing educational
activities for delivery through the SPU courses and to collecting,
analyzing and disseminate knowledge on Sign Linguistics, Sign
language interpretation and deaf studies in the region.
5.0 Expected DeliverablesWe look forward to sharing the success
in working closely with all interested parties in finding ways to
recruit, train and employ highly qualified sign language
interpretation professionals. While the shortage of interpreters is
a reality we have found a successful formula to help provide the
avenue for training and develop the curriculum to foster the
development of additional sign language interpreters for the
future. These new interpreters are vital to servicing the growing
needs within the deaf community. On behalf of the Deaf community in
Kenya, I welcome you to engage with us and make this training
program a reality for the people of Kenya.
Jack Owiti,
Ishaara Project - Kenya National Association of the Deaf -
KNAD
P. O. Box 42400 00100 GPO Nairobi
Email: [email protected]
Owiti
