Government Plans Disability ‘Empowerment Hub’ as Sign Language Vocabulary Workshop Begins

The government is working to establish an “Empowerment Hub” to develop the skills of persons with disabilities, expand employment opportunities and promote greater social inclusion, the Ministry of Health, Family and Social Welfare has said.

The initiative was highlighted by Health Minister Geela Ali at the opening of the Maldives Sign Language Vocabulary Development Workshop, jointly organised by the ministry and Transparency Maldives under the second phase of the STRONGG project.

The workshop brings together people with hearing impairments, sign language interpreters, service providers and policymakers to develop new signs across eight areas.

According to the ministry, the initiative is intended to improve access to information and public services for people with hearing impairments by expanding the vocabulary available in Maldivian Sign Language.

Speaking at the opening, Minister Geela outlined several measures being implemented to improve accessibility across government services.

The ministry has introduced an online sign language training programme for employees of state institutions and state-owned enterprises, with the aim of enabling staff to communicate more directly with members of the public who use sign language.

Sign language courses are also being conducted in partnership with the Maldives National University and Maldives Polytechnic.

The minister said the government is working towards making sign language communication more widely accepted and integrated into public service delivery.

She also emphasised the importance of working with disability advocacy organisations and affected communities to strengthen accessibility standards.