If you are someone who has ever lodged an FIR for perhaps a theft or physical abuse, you would know that it isn’t a very easy job. There are multiple questions that are thrown at you by police officials to record every tiny detail essential to lodge a complaint. Thus, have you ever wondered how hard it must be for people with speech and hearing impairments to do the same?
Keeping in mind the difficulty of deaf and mute people to communicate their problems to the police, the Odisha government is the first to empanel sign language interpreters at police stations who would be assisting them in lodging a complaint.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, besides registering complaints, these interpreters will also help deaf and mute people to further their legal proceedings – like interpreting their case at court.
In the absence of interpreters, deaf and mute people find it extremely difficult to narrate their cases to law and order authorities.
“Deaf and mute people are very prone to crime and they can’t explain the crime. It is difficult to understand their language also. So, Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 has mentioned that every police station should have a sign language instructor,” said the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities.
A list of 13 certified language interpreters has already been submitted to the police, revealed Business Standard.
It is time all states appointed interpreters at not just police stations but even at hospitals and make lives of deaf and mute people a little easier. Kudos to Odisha for setting a good example!