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Deaf Want More Rights For Sign Language | News | YLE Uutiset | yle.fi
The Finnish Association of the Deaf and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland are jointly pressing for legislation guaranteeing a more solid legal status for sign language. These groups say that at present the constitution does not provide sufficient rights for sign users.
"The sign language community is frustrated with current laws. There is plenty of goodwill among politicians and civil servants, but hardly any real change at all. The deaf using sign language continue to suffer inequality," says Markku Jokinen, director of the Finnish Association of the Deaf.
Revisions to the Finnish constitution in 1995 recognised the special status of those using sign language, but according to Jokinen, officials do not understand the significance of sign language rights in achieving linguistic equality for the deaf.
The Finnish Association of the Deaf and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland on Friday are publishing a language policy programme aimed at further improving the status of sign language. The two groups are also presenting a formal appeal to Justice Minister Tuija Brax, calling for separate legislation on the use of sign language in Finland.
The Finnish Association of the Deaf and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland are jointly pressing for legislation guaranteeing a more solid legal status for sign language. These groups say that at present the constitution does not provide sufficient rights for sign users.
"The sign language community is frustrated with current laws. There is plenty of goodwill among politicians and civil servants, but hardly any real change at all. The deaf using sign language continue to suffer inequality," says Markku Jokinen, director of the Finnish Association of the Deaf.
Revisions to the Finnish constitution in 1995 recognised the special status of those using sign language, but according to Jokinen, officials do not understand the significance of sign language rights in achieving linguistic equality for the deaf.
The Finnish Association of the Deaf and the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland on Friday are publishing a language policy programme aimed at further improving the status of sign language. The two groups are also presenting a formal appeal to Justice Minister Tuija Brax, calling for separate legislation on the use of sign language in Finland.