the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goan Association for the Deaf (GAD) and the Disabilities Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) on Monday urged police stations in Goa to appoint sign-language interpreters to aid the hearing impaired who wished to file complaints of injustice against them.
Speaking on behalf of the organisations, Avelino D’Sa, President of DRAG, said that while an interpreter is required in every police station in Goa, at least one interpreter in the North District and one in the South District would be a good start. “Police should take strong cognisance and have sign language interpreters for the benefit of the hearing impaired,” said D’Sa.
D’Sa also said that the police needed to consult NGOs for the disabled, or experienced people in the field of disabilities like special educators, when there is a case filed in which a person with disabilities is the victim. “We would like the police to engage NGOs for the disabled or people experienced in the field, rather than NGOs for women and childrens’ rights,” said D’Sa.
The two associations were supporting the National Association for the Deaf and other NGOs, who gathered in Delhi on Monday, to protest against incidents of gang rapes of women with disabilities in the country, most recently the rape in Manipur of a mentally challenged woman.
