NOYD calls for stronger recognition of Namibian Sign Language
The Namibian Organisation of Youth with Disabilities (NOYD) has called for stronger legal recognition of Namibian Sign Language (NSL) and improved access to sign-language interpreters across public services.
The call comes as Namibia joins the international community in marking the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September under the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights”.
NOYD said sign language access was closely linked to Deaf people’s rights to education, healthcare, justice, employment, information, political participation and human dignity.
While Namibia has made progress in recognising NSL, the organisation said gaps remained between rights recognised in policy and people’s experiences in everyday life.
NSL is used in education, including as a medium of instruction and as an examinable subject up to Grade 12. However, NOYD said stronger legal recognition and institutionalisation were still needed to ensure access across public life.
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has also sought information from Namibia on the formal recognition of NSL and the availability of qualified sign-language interpreters.
Shortage of interpreters
The shortage of interpreters remains a particular concern. The Namibian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD) estimates that about 27 000 Deaf people live across Namibia and says the number of interpreters is insufficient.
The association has also identified inadequate remuneration and limited policies requiring institutions to provide interpretation as barriers.
Concerns over the shortage were raised again in the National Assembly in March, particularly regarding essential services such as healthcare, policing and welfare.
NOYD said access to communication should not depend on whether an interpreter happened to be available when a Deaf person needed to visit a doctor, report a crime, attend court or seek government assistance.
Education is another area of concern. NNAD records 563 Deaf children enrolled in resource and inclusive schools and continues to advocate for greater interpreter capacity, teacher training and equal access to education.
Foundation of learning
NOYD said early and sustained access to NSL was important because language forms the foundation for learning, communication and participation.
The organisation is calling on the government to strengthen the legal recognition of NSL, fund and professionalise interpreting services, improve accessible education and ensure communication access in healthcare, policing, justice, elections and public information.
It also wants Deaf people and their representative organisations to be directly involved in policymaking, budgeting, monitoring and implementation.
NOYD said the Revised National Policy on Disability 2025–2035 and its Costed Implementation Plan provided an opportunity to translate existing commitments into measurable outcomes.
“Nothing about Deaf people should be decided without Deaf people,” the organisation said, arguing that disability rights should not remain confined to policy documents but be accessible and enforceable in everyday life.
