By Vaye A. Lepolu
Tuni Care Intuitive, a non-governmental organization focused on adolescents and young people, is calling for the full inclusion of individuals who use sign language in both private and public institutions, particularly in the areas of health, education, and gender services.
Madam Minnie Bowier, the Chief Executive Officer of Tuni Care Intuitive, expressed concern that the needs of the Deaf community are often overlooked in universal health services. “Inclusiveness for individuals with disabilities is frequently neglected in healthcare systems,” she stated.
According to Madam Bowier, the Liberian government has significant gaps in addressing the inclusiveness of Deaf individuals across various sectors. “The government faces many challenges in ensuring that Deaf individuals are part of decision-making processes. We must not leave anyone behind,” she emphasized.
Recent surveys conducted across Liberia reveal that Deaf individuals are often excluded from providing services despite having the same rights as all citizens. Madam Bowier is urging the national government to prioritize Deaf inclusion in every sector and activity, advocating for the dissemination of sign language as a fundamental right.
Currently, over 50 Deaf individuals are being supported by Tuni Care Intuitive in Montserrado County, specifically in Jacobs Town. However, Madam Bowier noted that a comprehensive mapping of the Deaf population in Montserrado and other parts of the country is still underway. She is working to obtain data from the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LIGIS) based on the national population census conducted in 2022.
In a conversation with a Women Voices reporter, Madam Bowier highlighted the challenges faced in providing sign language services to Deaf individuals, including a shortage of qualified sign language interpreters and difficulties encountered by Deaf individuals seeking assistance.
Madam Bowier also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for their support of sign language inclusiveness during the recent World Contraceptive Day celebration. She believes that collaborative efforts are essential to ensure that the rights and needs of the Deaf community are recognized and addressed.
