Questions for GE Candidates 2024
Download: Questions for Election Candidates 2024
- Will you support the IDS to campaign for amendments to the ISL Act 2017?
IDS are campaigning for changes to be made to the ISL Act. For example, we want more inclusive education for Deaf children. 90 % of Deaf children are born to hearing parents. Information and support about ISL is not provided equally with medical information. This can lead to language deprivation and poor educational attainment. Deaf children are not taught ISL and are not taught subjects through ISL. This goes against the position of IDS and the positions of the World Federation of the Deaf, European Union of the Deaf and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). This MUST change.
IDS are also campaigning for more awareness and accountability for public bodies when accessing information and services and more access to social and cultural events and services through the Social Inclusion Voucher Scheme.
2. Will you commit to implementing the ISL Act 2017 and ensure equality for Deaf people?
ISL was recognised as a language of the Deaf community in 2017. The Act is still not fully implemented for a number of reasons including shortage of ISL interpreters and lack of awareness among State bodies about their obligations. The State and relevant services must address this crisis. The National Disability Authority reported that 52% of State service providers are not aware of their responsibilities under the ISL Act in terms of providing ISL interpreters. ISL is recognised as a language of the Deaf community and 80% are not proficient in English, therefore access to information and services in ISL in critical. We need a medium- and long-term plan to increase the numbers of interpreters and establish a regulator for interpreters, not just a register.
We advocate for equal access to employment for Deaf people. 20% of Deaf people are unemployed and face structural and attitudinal barriers. We also advocate for a specialist Deaf Mental Health Service including a Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Deaf CAMHS).
3. How will you make sure that Deaf people are consulted on decisions about our lives?
The UNCRPD says that Deaf people must be consulted on issues that affect them. Deaf people are often overlooked and not included in decisions and policies that affect their lives. IDS and Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) must have core funding to represent Deaf people.
4. Will you ensure a rights-based approach is taken in terms of accessing public services and information for Deaf people as required by the ISL Act 2017?
Deaf people must be able to access services and information based on a human rights and social model of disability, not on a welfare or medical model. Services for Deaf people must be on an equality basis.
Download: Questions for Election Candidates 2024