Legal Aid Lawyers among 24 Persons Trained in Sign Language by the JAD

Twenty-four persons, including empanelled attorneys from the Legal Aid Council (LAC), have completed training in sign language through the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD).

The seven-week exercise, which was offered online and face-to-face, introduced participants to the vocabulary and structure of Jamaican sign language and raised awareness about the deaf culture.

Executive Director of the LAC, Dian Watson, tells JIS News that training will resume for two additional cohorts (three and four) between July and August, noting “we are hoping to have at least 80 persons trained this year”.

Training of the lawyers is being facilitated under the Social Justice (SO-JUST) Project, which seeks to provide access to justice services for the society’s most vulnerable.

The aim is to facilitate these provisions for persons with hearing impairments and children in contact and conflict with the law.

Implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by Global Affairs Canada, SO-JUST will champion the rights of all persons, ensuring the needs of men and women are met as they engage with justice services.

The project will transform the services provided to victims of crime, children in court, persons in conflict, persons accused of a crime and those who seek justice, making these easier for every Jamaican to understand and use.

It will also work with State and non-State partners to ensure that all who need access to justice are equitably served.

Mrs. Watson tells JIS News that the LAC is grateful to the UNDP and Global Affairs Canada for their support and sponsorship of the training, pointing out that the lawyers have been receptive of the engagement.

“It has been so tremendous; the training is absolutely valuable. We were able to learn about deaf awareness, deaf culture… [and] we are training in customised vocabulary. It has been just wonderful. I would recommend sign language training to everyone, especially service providers, because it is something that is needed,” she states.

“When we met with some of the deaf persons, they indicated that they go to some offices for services and they are not assisted at all, because there’s no one there who can even communicate with them. So the lawyers were really happy for the training,” the Executive Director adds.

Mrs. Watson shares: “One attorney even noted how timely it was because she had a deaf client and needed to be able to communicate with her; so, it has been absolutely tremendous.”

She informs that, over time, the aim is to have almost all the legal aid lawyers trained in sign language.

“We’re starting with the first 80 because the class sizes… have to be small to ensure that the tutors can see that each of us… [is] making the signs correctly,” Mrs. Watson states.

Speaking during a recent launch ceremony at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston, JAD Executive Director, Kimberley Mariott-Blake, emphasised the importance of lawyers being empowered to assist persons who are deaf.

She said there is limited access to spaces in the public and private sector where people can engage with service delivery.

“That is why it is so important for the Legal Aid Council to be empowered and prepared to engage with persons, because when an individual shows up in need of help, we don’t want to have to turn someone back unfairly. There’s also consistent support from our government entities to ensure that individuals are identified and adequately referred,” the Executive Director said.