Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

3.2 POLICY AND LEGISLATION3.2.1 IntroductionThe Department of Social and Family Affairs Outline Sectoral Plan under theDisability Bill 2004 states that, “the Minister for Social and Family Affairs has thepower in the Comhairle Act 2000 to request the Board of Comhairle to designschemes relating to social services in order to address the needs identified by theMinister concerning such services”.The Comhairle Amendment Bill 2004 (Explanatory Memorandum) sets out that“the Minister proposes, to request Comhairle to prepare such a scheme relatingto sign language interpretation services and to submit it for her approval. It isintended that the scheme, as approved by the Minister, will form part of herDepartment's Sectoral Plan as provided for under the Disability Bill and will bepublished in the final version of that Plan.”This review is being completed to provide the basis for a new scheme relating tosign language interpretation services.3.2.2 Government policyTraditionally in Ireland, in policy and legislative terms, the issue of interpretationservices and the rights and entitlements of Deaf people have usually fallen underthe “disability” remit.The Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, and therecommendations contained in its report A Strategy for Equality in 1996, markeda watershed in the development of Irish disability policy. This shift has beenreflected in the Government commitment to mainstreaming programmes andservices for people with disabilities and in the establishment of the NationalDisability Authority (NDA) in June 2000.The report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities,A Strategy for Equality (1996), states that:“The ability to communicate is a fundamental human quality. For many Deafpeople the right to communicate is compromised. Facilities are extremely limitedfor those whose first language is sign language and for those who do notcommunicate orally' (4.17). It is asserted that 'Interpreting support is clearlyneeded in public services...” (14.18).The Report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services forPeople with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future(1996) notes also that the 'major obstacle to many community services is thecommunication barrier arising from hearing loss. This obstacle is best overcomethrough the availability of a communication support service such as signinterpreters, lip speakers and deaf-blind communicators' (7.3.11).Successive Government commitments (including equality legislation and disabilitylegislation) have highlighted access to mainstream services as a policy objective.Comhairle was set up in June 2000 to provide information, advice and advocacyservices both to the general public and to people with disabilities. It was part ofpage 36 • Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland