Friday 1 July 2011

Students campaign for deaf access legislation

Efforts to pass at least two proposed laws seeking better access for the deaf received a boost from students of a Manila-based college, who gathered more than 17,000 signatures for the cause.

Students of the De La Salle College of St. Benilde (DLS-CSB) said their community added 17,245 signatures for House Bills 4121 and 4631 as of June 29.

“(The) number does not yet reflect signatures gathered online. We have yet to ask (the Philippine Deaf Resource Center) for the total national signatures gathered," said an entry on the school's Deaf-E-News blog site.

However, the 17,245 signatures is still a small fraction of the 300,000 signatures the community needs to lobby lawmakers into passing the two bills.

Now pending at the House of Representatives are HB 4121, which allows a sign language interpretation on TV via an inset on the screen; and HB 4631, which allows sign language interpreters in courts.

Still, the DLS-CSB noted the 17,245 signatures were gathered in less than three weeks’ time.

Congress is to resume session on July 25.

“The goal was to be able to contribute to the needed 300,000 signatures to lobby the House bills supportive of Deaf access," the DLS-CSB said.

It also noted the PDRC extended the gathering of signatures to July 30. “We can go for 100,000 signatures to contribute!" it said.

The DLS-CSB said that those who wish to contribute can go to the DLS-CSB campus along Taft Avenue in Manila, or email: deaf.partnerships@benilde.edu.ph. — TJD, GMA News

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