WFD Interview on COVID-19
DR. JOSEPH MURRAY, WFD PRESIDENT:
Almost 100 countries have sign language interpreters for public/government briefings. Deaf people have a right to information and that’s what we advocate for.
[Images with samples of sign language interpreters for public briefings]
DR. MURRAY:
I know that the number of interpreters is growing, and more governments are recognizing the need of bringing in interpreters at their press conferences and announcements. Several of them have asked why there is a need for interpreters, but they do later understand. I especially have to applaud New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. She is a model of interpreter accessibility.
[Video clip of Ardern’s press briefing]
DR. MURRAY:
Interpreters, whether they are deaf or hearing, is a part of their government’s response team.
[Image of a world map with countries that provide sign language for public hearings in blue color and those who don’t in white color]
DR. MURRAY:
One country said deaf people in cities have access to televisions, but in villages or rural places, they do not. Instead, they must rely on their phones so that means they must rely on information received through videos posted on social media. But another country said while they have television access in villages or rural places, but their phone doesn’t get good network signal. It means that deaf associations have to fight for access on televisions. Our stance and aim, in terms of interpreter access or public health access, is we must use be accessible on all platforms, all channels, all media. I am not referring to one single, designated channel, rather, I emphasize all platforms must have this access.
THE DAILY MOTH:
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been at work coordinating coronavirus responses. Has the WHO and the WFD been in touch and have they had any discussions so far?
DR. MURRAY:
Yes, we send a letter to the WHO reminding them of their responsibility provide access through means of International Sign Language.
[Images of the letter to WHO]
DR. MURRAY:
They have what is called “Disability Guidelines” and it says to include sign language interpreters “if possible”. At WFD, we do not think it is acceptable to provide access only “if possible”. We must have sign language interpreters. The words “if possible” needs to be replaced with terminology that requires interpreters. Almost 100 countries have sign language interpreters. The WHO can also recommend that each country must provide sign language interpreters.
[Text: Update: WFD was able to get a commitment from the WHO to work on providing sign language access during press briefings.]
DR. MURRAY:
WFD was recently in a webinar with many other organizations. One representative was the Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases. He is tasked with the coronavirus response. We at WFD were able to question the WHO official and said that we have 125 countries in the world who are WFD members and that have worked hard to provide access to coronavirus updates through their native sign language interpreters. Why don’t you at WHO, for your press briefings, provide an International Sign interpreter? When will you do this? The ADG acknowledged the importance of sign language access to information and the need for sign language interpreting. They acknowledge they are responsible for providing access and now they are working on it.
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DR. MURRAY:
One thing we have seen is that our deaf associations are front line workers too. The government is responsible to distribute health information amongst those deaf associations who are, in turn, take up the responsibility to make live videos on Facebook. They also set up WhatsApp groups and help get the information out into the community about the importance of washing your hands and staying at home. These deaf associations have to take it upon themselves to distribute this information among our community. At WFD, we remind the governments who are really in the front lines in midst of this coronavirus outbreak, these deaf associations. They work as volunteers and take this responsibility on top of their careers. These deaf associations must be included in their emergency planning in the future.
There is one thing that I would like to share. Asian members of our community asks us to tell the world that this coronavirus should not be called an Asian virus. This coronavirus is a global virus. The WFD does not condone any discrimination or oppression of people based on where they are from. This coronavirus is a global virus in which we all must work together to fight it. We need to work together without oppressing certain groups of people.
THE DAILY MOTH:
We might be in this for a long time. Vaccines might be available in a year or more. So we have to get ready and prepared to push our governments and hospitals to provide better communication for deaf people. It’s going to be a long time.
DR. MURRAY:
That’s right. We are prepared for a long battle. Also the pandemic might go away in China or Europe, but there might be new hot spots in other countries. We are going to work long term.
THE DAILY MOTH:
I appreciate your time, Joseph. Thank you for explaining and keep up the work!
WFD Website: wfdeaf.org