Press
Release! Sept 2006
In
compliance with the Persons with Disabilities ACT 2003 Kenyan Sign Language
Interpreters Association (KSLIA) would like to enlighten the general public of
it’s mandate and mission in provision of quality Interpretation services to the
Deaf community in Kenya.
KSLIA
was registered in 2000 under the Societies Act with the goal of providing
quality interpretation services to the Deaf community in Kenya. KSLIA will
strive to reach this goal by focusing on the following objectives:
1. KSLIA will maintain a registry of
qualified and practicing interpreters in Kenya. KSLIA will continually maintain
a high level of professionalism by enforcing the Interpreter code of ethics,
continuing education and a license maintenance program for all its membership.
2. KSLIA in collaboration with
like-minded stakeholders will establish a research, training, certification and
regulatory process for accrediting interpreters in Kenya.
3. KSLIA will strive to form networks
and forums for its members to exchange ideas, best practices and mentoring as
part of its activities
4. KSLIA will develop information,
education and communication materials on issues of Deafness, Sign language,
Deaf Education, Deaf Culture and Heritage, establish resource centers for
information sharing and dissemination.
Since
its formation KSLIA in partnership with local and international organizations
has facilitated the training and certification of 20 interpreters in Kenya.
KSLIA has drafted and adopted a code of ethics, continues to update its registry
of interpreters, organizing interpreter trainings and forging new alliances
gearing to reach its goal.
Exciting times lay ahead and the work of KSLIA will now
look at working towards the provision of quality interpretation services,
providing equal access to information, education, communication and other
essential social services to the Kenyan Deaf community.
Jack Owiti,
Chairman, KSLIA.