The National Assembly has now passed the Kenyan Sign Language Bill, 2023 (Senate Bill No. 9 of 2023), paving the way for one of the country’s most far-reaching accessibility reforms aimed at strengthening communication rights and expanding inclusion for the deaf community.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The legislation, co-sponsored by Millie Odhiambo and Umulkher Harun, seeks to formalise the use, regulation, and promotion of Kenyan Sign Language across public institutions, schools, media platforms, courts, and telecommunications.

The Bill requires TV stations to provide closed captioning and Kenyan Sign Language interpretation occupying at least one-third of the screen during news broadcasts, educational programmes, and national events. Internet-based video content would similarly be required to include captions or transcripts.

Additionally, the council will be tasked with registering and licensing professional sign language interpreters, setting training standards, and advising the government on communication rights affecting persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind.

📌 What You Need to Know

In many public spaces, sign language interpretation has remained inconsistent, limited, or absent, and a barrier that disability rights advocates have long argued shuts thousands of citizens out of critical services and information.

Under the proposed law, the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Basic Education will be required to facilitate sign language lessons for parents, guardians, and family members of deaf children.

Kenyan Sign Language will also be integrated into early childhood and basic education curricula, while public institutions of higher learning will be expected to provide free interpretation services for learners who need them.

Telecommunication service providers are also expected to establish relay systems, including text, video, and caption-based communication services, to improve accessibility for persons with hearing disabilities.

The legislation further seeks to professionalise sign language interpretation in Kenya by introducing mandatory registration, annual practising certificates, and continuous professional development requirements for interpreters.

Further, only certified practitioners registered with the council will be legally allowed to use the title "Professional Sign Language Interpreter".

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke