Concerned for persons with hearing impairment who attend the committee hearings and sessions in the Senate, Senator Nancy Binay said that the Senate must have sign language interpreters available to assist them.
“The growing presence and involvement of PWDs in matters of national importance is an indication of their resolve to participate in the development of our nation and it is the duty of the Senate to promote their rights by policy or by law,” Binay said.
“This is why we in the Senate must recognize the rights, privileges, and freedoms of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and provide the assistance they need during our sessions and committee hearings,” the legislator urged.
In Senate Resolution No. 480 which the lawmaker filed this week, she cited the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons which explains that the “State shall adopt policies ensuring the rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance of disabled persons.”
“The Magna Carta for Disabled Persons states that PWDs should be able to live freely and as independently as possible. This includes their participation in discussions on significant social, economic and political issues,” said the senator.
“Tulungan po natin silang magawa ito at bigyan natin sila ng oportunidad na makilahok sa pagtalakay sa mga importanteng pagpupulong, lalung-lalo na dito sa Senado,” she added.
Binay has earlier co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1455 which calls for the declaration of the Filipino Sign Language as the national sign language of the Filipino deaf.