Bill seeking presence of court interpreters for deaf pushed By Gerry Baldo 09/13/2011

Bill seeking presence of court interpreters for deaf pushed

By Gerry Baldo 09/13/2011

Acting on reports about the growing criminal cases involving those with impaired hearing, lawmakers yesterday pushed the hiring of sign language experts in court.

Under House Bill 4121, filed by Reps. Teddy Casiño, (Bayan Muna); Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna); Luzviminda Ilagan (Gabriela); Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis); Raymond Palatino (Kabataan party-list); Antonio Tinion ( Act Teachers); and Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela), all courts, quasi-judicial bodies, agencies and government institutions conducting investigations and public hearings will hire interpreters for proceedings involving individuals ascertained to be deaf through accepted clinical standards and procedures.

The bill, however, said that a deaf individual may waive the right to an interpreter.

“For most people, the importance of communication is usually taken for granted. But for individuals constrained by hearing or faced with audiological impairment, the insufficiency of communication systems and the lack of support can cause great injustice and disparity,” the lawmakers said yesterday..... MORE

Source:  The Daily Tribune

URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/metro/20110913met1.html