Interpreter Services for the Deaf
“Right of communication in Sign Language
13th July 2008, Marriott Hotel, Karachi.

There were four sign language interpreters because the presence of interpreter is necessary for effective communication.

Arrival of guests took place at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Asif Amin Farooqui thanked all people for coming to the program. Mohammad Ismail (Deaf member) recited a surah from Holy Quran.

Drama was performed by Mr. Furqan, Mr. Ejaz and Mr. Wahid Shah.

4:45     Introduction of PAD
            Kamran Tariq – General Secretary

Mr. Kamran Tariq gave a brief introduction about PAD and, their activities, future plans and projects etc.

Mr. Abdul Haseeb Khan thanked Ms. Fauzia Wahab. He said that Allah had blessed us with different abilities and we should think over it and serve the humanity. He also added that there are hospitals where 250 to 300 patients come daily and if there are no interpreters for the deaf then it would be very difficult for the deaf to communicate with doctor and tell him about his problem. He emphasized on PAD to start Interpreter Services for the Deaf at their earliest as Deaf people need it very much. He assured of his assistance and support in this regard.

Mr. Irfan Mumtaz gave a detailed introduction about Interpreter Services for the Deaf, the need for this service, demands and future plans of Pakistan Association of the Deaf. He said that we some deaf individuals faced a lot of problem regarding interpreter and they reported it to PAD. He also gave the knowledge to participants about the rights of deaf people. Informing participants about UN convention for disabled he said that this convention has been approved in many countries of the world but it hasn’t been approved by Pakistan Government. He urged the government to sign and ratify this convention. Talking about establishment of interpreter service he appealed generous people and other organizations to support PAD so that the project could be started soon.

Mr. Shahid said that he had been working with P.A.D since 2001. He felt P.A.D was the only one association in Pakistan that had been providing sign language interpreter services since it had established. He also had mentioned that there were some organizations where deaf people were providing their services but they didn’t have a sign language interpreter service. He shared his experience that a deaf came to Hospital but the doctor wasn’t able to suggest right medicine to him due to communication gap. He helped him as an Interpreter, so that the way problem had been solved.

Ms. Fazila said that Deaf people are very caring and loving people. They were always willing to help if someone needed their help. The question is that were we giving them what they need? She added that it had been more than 17 years of her relation with the Deaf community. She had working for the welfare and empowerment of deaf community. She emphasized that knowledge of Sign Language was also mandatory for hearing persons as this results in effective communication between deaf and hearing persons. Establishment of ISD could help us to solve the problems of deaf community. Therefore, she requested generous people to support ISD in this regard.

Mr. Zaigham said that he has been working with deaf community for the last 20 years and added that he has a strong relationship with these people. He said that he loved to work for the deaf community. Mr. Zaigham said that people should be motivated to join hands with deaf community and work for their betterment. In Pakistan, deaf people are facing many problems. Social integration is very less in deaf community. Talking about social integration he said that deaf people use mobile phones to communicate through sms. In United States specialized mobile phones are available for deaf community. He also pointed a problem of deaf mother in Islamabad whose son got injured by falling from first floor. She wanted to take him hospital but she was unable to communicate with anyone. At least one hour passed away. Someone arranged a tanga and she took her kid to hospital but it was an irony of fate that her son passed away due to too much time. She was so much worried that she also died after two to three days. This is a very sad incident and it portrays the problems regarding unavailability of interpreters. He emphasized government to take serious steps for the implementation of disabled quota in public as well as private sector. He informed participants that about 10% people are disabled in the world. In Pakistan, national statistics are less than 1%. Therefore, he insisted government to conduct a survey according to global standard and to include questions about disability that are used worldwide. Mr. Zaigham said that no political party has included points about disabled persons in their mandate. In the end, he asked government to start sign language interpreting in prime time news bulletin because deaf community also wants the right of information.

Employment is another important problem of deaf community, said Mr. Zaigham. He said that Mr. Moeen Qureshi changed disabled quota from 1% to 2% but the compliance of this quota has not been observed strictly. There should be a monitoring cell to observe the compliance of this quota. Mr. Zaigham said that he is proud to mention that his organization has truly implemented this 2% quota. He appreciated Mr. Ameen of PAD (Webmaster – HBFC) and said that he is 200% good in his skills and work. He said that Disabled Rehabilitation Commission is an organization in United States. This organization imparts training to deaf persons and then refers them to other organizations for the job. Organizations that do not implement 2% quota, have to pay the penalty to the commission.

6:18     Speech by Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig
            Chairman – Pak Denim Ltd.

Mr. Ikhtiar Baig said that he was here because it is a noble cause to work for the Deaf. He said that he has cancelled his flight because he promised PAD to attend the seminar and said that he will talk only about the matters which he can help. He assured of his support regarding issuance of tax exemption certificate from CBR. He also assured of his help regarding Special education. He said that he has connection with two special ministers. We can ask them for PAD’s help. He suggested PAD to make a pool of ISD and said that there should be 8 to 10 interpreter who should be called upon the requirement. He said that government should force the true implementation of 2% disabled quota in private offices and the companies that are not following it should be fined.

6:33     Speech by Mr. Faran
            Giga Group

Mr. Faran Umar appreciated PAD’s work and announced a donation of Rs. 100,000/- (Rs. 50,000/- by Mr. M. Ali Chughtai and Rs. 50,000/- by Mr. Faran Umar).

6:34     Speech by Ms. Fauzia Wahab
            Member National Assembly

She said that this was a new world for her and she was very glad to see Mr. Irfan Mumtaz working so well. He was a hard worker and knew about his aim. He was guiding deaf community through a right path. She also appreciated Ms. Shahida Ibrahim for her devoted work.

The following suggestions were given by her:

• Sign language training course should be included in college level education.
• There must be an interpreter in every big hospital.
• TV channels should start programs for the Deaf. The news bulleting should be telecasted in prime time.

           She assured PAD for her support.

Mr. Irfan Mumtaz thanked all the participants of the seminar for their presence and requested generous people to help PAD financially. He especially thanked Mr. Zaigham M. Rizvi, Mr. Abdul Haseeb Khan, Mr. Faran and Mr. M. Ali Chughtai of GIGA Group, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Ms. Fauzia Wahab and the interpreters (Ms. Fazila, Mr. Shahid Ali, Mr. Aqeel and Mr. Farooq Ahmed). Mr. Irfan Mumtaz appealed generous people and organizations to help PAD in establishment of Interpreter Services for the Deaf (ISD).

Summary

Deaf people are still facing many problems in the field of education, employment, law & order etc. These problems are due to the problem of communication. Communication gap exists between hearing and Deaf community. PAD is trying to bridge this communication gap and for the first time in Pakistan, PAD has the program to start Interpreter Services for the Deaf. Deaf people across all over Pakistan were demanding for this service. PAD conducted a survey and after analyzing the results, took an initiative to start this service. This service is running effectively in countries like USA, UK, Canada, Australia etc.  We hope that this service would certainly help the Deaf community in this regard.

All this could not have been possible without the support of generous people and other organizations. PAD is an NGO of deaf persons and is entirely run by deaf persons. We need continued support from generous people to keep the project of Interpreter Services for the Deaf alive. We pray to Allah to give Deaf people the courage, wisdom and knowledge to change the things to improve the quality of their lives.