The deaf community in the country faces significant challenges due to the absence of professional interpreters. According to officials from the Wangsel Institute for the Deaf in Paro and the Disabled People’s Organisation, the shortage makes daily life difficult for those with hearing impairments. To address this, the two organisations plan to introduce a specialised interpreter training course.
Despite the advancement in Bhutanese sign language, there are no professional interpreters in the country today.
Currently, the country has just six deaf instructors at the Wangsel Institute for Deaf in Paro.
The proposed 11-month training course will have officials from key institutions such as hospitals, banks, courts, and other organisations.
However, trainees will have to pay a minimal fee. The training for the first cohort is expected to begin by August this year and will have about 15 trainees.
The deaf instructors, who have received a Training of Trainers course in Malaysia will provide the training.
Upon completing the training, participants will be regarded as professional interpreters, able to provide services to deaf individuals within their workplaces at any time.
Dechen Tshering, Principal of Wangsel Institute for Deaf said “We talk a lot about inclusiveness in society. To include deaf people in society, we need interpreters for them to communicate. To include deaf people, we need interpreters to help them communicate. If we can train interpreters, it will make it easier to include deaf people and help them feel valued.”
Tenzin Dralha, a Bhutanese Sign Language Instructor said “When we go for interviews, it is not easy because there is communication barrier. We do not get accepted in jobs because we cannot communicate well with the officials.”
Dorji Zangmo, Programme Officer of Disabled People’s Organisation said “When we are sick and visit hospital, we face lots of problems. Health staff do not know how to communicate in sign language. It is difficult without an interpreter. So, we call Wangsel Institute and request for an interpreter to help us through video calls.”
The Wangsel Institute for the Deaf also plans to offer basic sign language training to agencies that employ deaf individuals.
115 deaf students were enrolled at the Wangsel Institute for the Deaf last year.
The Bhutanese Sign Language app, abbreviated as “BhSL” is available for those wishing to learn basic Bhutanese sign language to assist in communicating with deaf individuals.
Of approximately seven per cent of people living with disabilities in Bhutan, two per cent are deaf.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Tshering Zam
