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.
Despite
the lack of funding and perceived inactivity, individual interpreters have been
actively involved in the core business of providing Interpretation and
informally interacting with each other. Collectively as a body of Interpreters
in Kenya KSLIA has made several strides in the professional development of
interpretation in Kenya. These include:-
1.
Election
of officials
2.
Opening
of bank account
3.
Drafting
of an official Code of Ethics
4.
Participation
in the two World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASLI) Congresses –
South Africa 2004, Spain 2007
5.
Creation
and Distribution of a Registry of Interpreters
6.
Participation
in Interpreter Training workshops – August 2006, April 2007 and Jan 2008
7.
Official
website created with information on Interpretation – www.kslia.blogspot.com regular email updates and short
message services to members.
8.
Circulation
of information on how to work with interpreters in various settings, settling
of conflicts and complaints from consumers.
9.
Pursuing
memorandums of understanding with organizations interested in developing Sign
Language Interpretation in Kenya – working progress with Global Deaf Connection
and Deaf Aid.
10.
Become
a member of WASLI (World Association of Sign Language Interpreters) Starting
July 2007
Looking
forward KSLIA would like to see itself evolve from a dormant bundle of
prospects to a dynamic, vibrant professional body focusing on:-
1. The development of a
Certification Process – Research, Training, Examination, Certification –
Issuing and Maintenance, continuing professional development
2. Enforcing of a strict code of
conduct for the various fields of Interpretation, settling disputes and
conflict resolution.
3. Continuing Education for the
professional interpreter incorporating new thinking, best practices and
implementation of latest developments informed by scientific findings and
evidence based programming.
For
the sustainability of the programs supporting the development of Interpretation
initiatives, KSLIA proposes to be the long-term avenue for this purpose.
Programs and Projects will never replace the vibrant, evolving local knowledge
and power broking dynamics that characterize the Deaf and Interpreter community
in Kenya.
KSLIA
proposes the following recommendations as the official position as far as Interpretation
Field is concerned: -
1. Recognition and elevation of
KSLIA as the true voice of the Kenyan Interpreters
2. Conducting a formative
assessment to ascertain the correct situation of the interpreting profession in
Kenya.
3. Inclusion of KSLIA in forums,
committee, seminars, conferences etc where Interpretation is being discussed.
KSLIA to be involved as a key stakeholder.
4. Though it is important to
involve various government agencies in the formation of policy regarding
interpretation or sign language, past experiences show that it is lengthy,
expensive and futile to involve them without proper representation for instance
if a departmental head is involved without the blessing of the superiors it is
futile because they are not the ultimate decision makers.
5. To impact policy change, there
needs to be coordination of efforts. KSLIA should be the advocate of
interpreter issues working hand in hand with other organizations.
6. The key priorities at present
in the Deaf and Interpreter community are:- Empowerment (role
modeling, inclusion and capacity building) - Infrastructure (climate, policy, political
goodwill) - Coordination of
Resources (personnel, finance, priorities)
7. KSLIA will continue to pursue
relationships with like-minded organizations locally and abroad to further it’s
vision for the development of interpretation profession in Kenya.
8. KSLIA will seek dialogue to
foster cooperation and team spirit however KSLIA may also seek legal redress
where it feels it’s rights and constitutional mandate has been violated.
9. KSLIA continues to seek members
to join and contribute finance, expertise and man power to grow strong and
vibrant as a professional body. KSLIA is therefore calling all practicing
interpreters to join and pay up their membership to make KSLIA a strong
professional association.
10. KSLIA is appealing to the
stakeholders in the KRITD Process to reevaluate their support, commitment and
priority in light with the above statement and make policy, decisions and change laws in consideration of the legacy, history, aspirations and ambitions of the Kenyan
Interpreters and the Deaf community they serve.
Our
aspirations and ambition as key stakeholders and practicing Interpreters is to
provide affordable professional interpretation services to the Deaf community
in order to do this we demand inclusion, empowerment, comprehensive policy
backing and coordination of the scarce resources available for the sustained
development of the field of interpretation in Kenya.
Future Activities
On
26th of April 2007, the Global Deaf Connections, Deaf AID, KSLIA and Sign
Language
Service International (SLSI) developed a survey questionnaire and conducted a mini
survey with Interpreters attending a training “Theory to Practice” in Nairobi.
This survey results indicated that there is need to conduct a nationwide
research to ascertain:
1. How
many interpreters exist or practice in Kenya
2. Who
trained them? How long was the training?
3. Where
do they work primarily?
4. What
issues are they currently affecting their work?
5. What
new practices have they adopted to cope with the dynamics of Interpreting?
There
is also a need to get views from Deaf individuals, organizations employing or working
with Interpreters to learn their challenges and available lessons they have
learnt and applied over their interaction with the interpreters.
Kenyan
Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA) proposes to establish priorities
for a National Interpreter Education Center working with and through a formal
network of individuals, organizations, and agencies or other recognized
mechanisms for the provision of educational activities for interpreters at all
skill levels.
The
objectives of the project will be to:-
o
Train interpreters – Training of Trainers,
Mentors and Interpreters in various fields and settings.
o
Develop and implement a national
curriculum, a certification framework and a certification maintenance
mechanism.
o
Develop, distribute and monitor
information, education and communication materials for interpreter training
o
Develop and implementation of Interpretation
standards, ethics and guidelines to strengthen the profession.
o
Ensure the maintenance of the skills of
interpreters through continuing education; continuous testing and certification
for quality assurance.
o
Provide opportunities for interpreters to
raise their level of competence through regional networking and collaboration.
o
Strengthen capacity of interpreter
associations, clubs or networks regionally, nationally
KSLIA
envisions that the project which will be implemented through it’s partnership with
Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD) , Kenya Sign Language Research
Project (KSLRP) and any other organization that has the interest in furthering
the Interpretation field in Kenya.
KSLIA
envisions that these activities will result in the following:-
o
People will change their attitudes towards
Sign Language, Interpretation, Deafness and the Deaf community in Kenya.
o
Communication between hearing people and
the Deaf will be enhanced.
o
Deaf people will have more or better access
to information, education, political and socioeconomic activities or
interactions.
o
Deaf Kenyans will have qualified and
competent interpreters available to give interpretation services in various
settings.
o
Deaf people will gain more confidence in
the learning process, self-expression, in communicating with hearing people and
in advocating for their rights.
o
Creation of employment opportunities for
Deaf individuals as trainers, and self employment opportunities for
interpreters after training.
o
Current policies such as the People with
Disabilities Act 2003 will be amended to explicitly recognize the role of the
interpreters in the education, information and communications access to the
Deaf in Kenya.
KSLIA
will constantly and consistently raise funds and enter into collaborative agreements
with organizations to realize this future goal.
Submitted by KSLIA 2007 ®
