PUTRAJAYA: The Human Resources Ministry will look into Training of Trainers (ToT) accreditation for sign language interpreters through the Human Resource Development Corporation (HRD Corp), says Steven Sim.
The Human Resources Minister said he had instructed HRD Corp to introduce an accreditation system for the marginalised group to further empower persons with disabilities (OKU).
“I met with representatives from the sign language interpreters association a few weeks ago and they conveyed their situation to me.
“From the working environment and (in terms of) protection, there is still a low level of awareness (about the deaf) in the workplace.
“This includes a lack of opportunities to become an accredited sign language trainer," he told reporters after the ministry's monthly assembly here on Tuesday (April 22).
He said this accreditation would be a starting point for the ministry to introduce similar schemes for other categories of OKU, such as the blind.
“When the ministry said we want to advocate for 3Ks (kebajikan, kemahiran and keberhasilan or welfare, skills and achievements) of the workforce, it includes everyone regardless of physical ability.
“We want to make sure that all workers are taken care of,” he added.
Earlier, Sim attended the soft launch of the Labour Day Carnival organised by his ministry which will be held from April 28 to May 1.
During the ministry assembly, three invited interpreters signed as the national anthem was being sung.
They are Deaf Advocacy and Well-being National Organisation president and co-founder Sariah Ibrahim, National Organisation of Malaysian Sign Language Instructors president Ong Hwei Ling, and Interpreters and Translators Association for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Deaf Community secretary Calysta Tay Yilynn.
Sim said they were invited to help ministry personnel be more aware of OKUs.
