"We need more interpreters in Trinidad and Tobago," Ian Dhanolal of the Agape Deaf Centre said at yesterday's Deaf Awareness Day held at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann's. This was the first event of Disability Awareness Week which will be culminate on December 3 with International Day of Disabled Persons.

Dhanolal said that a lot of deaf people have problems communicating at hospitals, at court or at other places because of the lack of interpreters. He added that Trinidad and Tobago Sign Language was preferred over American Sign Language (ASL) because it has more facial expressions and body movements and is therefore easier for locals to understand.

He gave the example of a deaf man who was held by police but could not understand the interpreter who was using sign language in American English.

Roberts said that his Ministry is collaborating with the deaf community and respective stakeholders to standardise Trinidad and Tobago sign language. He said his Ministry was determined to work with organisations to assist the disabled and pointed to $20 million in subventions and one-off grants to NGOs providing services to people with disabilities.

He added that people with disabilities had an obligation to assist in the building of our society and they must seize those opportunities that are presented to them.

Source: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_news?id=119440993