Bahrain government official urges employment of deaf people

From the Gulf Daily News:

Unemployed deaf people could soon be granted jobs following the intervention of a top MP.

Parliament second vice-chairman Dr Salah Ali has written to Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi urging him to find work for more than 60 unemployed deaf people.

"The country cares about all its citizens and is keen on granting them jobs that is suitable for their circumstances," he said.

"The ministry should follow this and grant these unemployed citizens jobs that suit their disability."

Dr Ali has already sent letters to senior government officials urging them to help improve the lifestyles of deaf people in the community.

He earlier wrote to Health Minister Dr Faisal Al Hamer to stress the need for each medical centre to have at least one worker who knows sign language.

Dr Ali also sent a letter to Culture and Information Minister Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa requesting sign language be introduced in television programmes.

The MP stressed that most members of the Bahrain Society for the Deaf were unable to get jobs that could utilise their skills and abilities.

"Their families are depending on them as the only breadwinner," Dr Ali told the GDN.

"But due to their disability, they cannot find jobs that suit them.

"The country is obliged to find them job opportunities in the government or private sector."

In his letter, Dr Ali also urged Dr Al Nuaimi to allow those with hearing disabilities to continue their high school studies.

"Special needs pupils only reach elementary school and then they cannot continue their studies, which deprives them their right to learn," he said.

"Some neighbouring countries have found special educational programmes for the disabled in all school stages."

The letters follow an earlier meeting between Dr Ali and Bahrain Society for the Deaf president Mahdi Al Nuaimi, who pleaded for people with hearing difficulties to be included in Bahrain's future development.

The GDN reported last Saturday that all of Bahrain's medical centres and hospitals could soon have dedicated staff to deal with deaf patients.

Dr Ali hoped this will allow Bahrainis with disabilities to be more integrated into the community and allow them more independence.

Mr Al Nuaimi earlier admitted deaf patients faced difficulties when they fell ill and visited medical centres.

"A deaf person will not be able to hear his name being called and therefore will miss the appointment," he said.

"Furthermore, when discussing his condition with the doctor, translation can be a problem."

Mr Al Nuaimi revealed that deaf Bahrainis tend to watch television channels of neighbouring countries because they feature sign language in the corner of the screen.