Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service ...

Sustaining Progress, Social Partnership Agreement 2003-2005 Section 20, states:Development and Training20.20 “Flexibility in the public service is dependent on the adaptability of skillsof staff. Enhancing performance is equally dependent on the knowledge,skills and other competencies of staff... the parties are committed tocontinued training and development for all staff”.Equal Opportunities20.22 “Human Resource Management in the public service must continue to…offer services to the public which must take full account of theincreasingly diverse nature of our society”.Detailed action plans and progress reports from the various social partners inrelation to Section 20 of Sustaining Progress show that actions are being takenunder 20.20 to provide staff with training in Irish Sign Language. Under Section20.22, actions are being taken to ensure maximum accessibility by providingfacilities for persons with a disability, including sign language interpretationservices and other services as needs arise.3.2.3 Legal basis for sign language interpretation servicesThere is no one comprehensive piece of legislation which lays out the specificrights/entitlements of Deaf people regarding access to SLI services. However,there are various other pieces of legislation which underpin the eligibility of theDeaf community in relation to accessing sign language interpretation services.The fragmented nature of the legislative context has led to differing practicesamongst different public service providers in the provision of SLI services.Legislation is now in place to protect people with disabilities from discrimination inemployment and in access to goods, services, accommodation and education.This section outlines some of the key pieces of legislation which provide the basisfor SLI services which can be accessed by Deaf people. For example, undervarious pieces of legislation such as the Education Act 1998, Employment EqualityAct 1999 and Equal Status Act 2000, employers and service providers areobligated (with due consideration to 'reasonable accommodation') to provide signlanguage interpreters in a variety of domains - examples of which include signedinterpretation at lectures and classes at third-level where a Deaf person isstudying, staff meetings and training days, conferences, launches, courtappearances and medical appointments.The Equal Status Act 2000 prohibits colleges from discriminating against studentson the basis of disability. The Act applies to all education institutions, both publicand private, which are prohibited from discriminating against students withdisabilities in terms of:• Admission• Terms and conditions of admission• Access to any coursepage 38 • Review of Sign Language Interpretation Services and Service Requirements in Ireland