Legal Aid lawyers trained in sign language

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.

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, told JIS News that training will resume for two additional cohorts 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 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. 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 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," Watson stated.

"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," she added.