The National Union of Disabled Youth (NUDY) has called for the full recognition and promotion of Gambian Sign Language in education and public services, saying access to sign language is a human right rather than a privilege.

The call was made in a statement marking the International Week of Deaf People 2026, held under the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights”, which culminated in the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September.

NUDY said Deaf people must have equal access to education, healthcare, justice, employment and public information without communication barriers.

The organisation said Deaf people in The Gambia continue to face limited access to sign-language interpreters in schools, hospitals and courts, inadequate sign-language content on national television and limited employment and skills-development opportunities.

“Deaf people are not disabled by their ears, but by the barriers society creates,” NUDY said.

NUDY called for qualified Gambian Sign Language interpreters in public institutions, particularly in education, healthcare, justice and emergency services.

It also urged the government to expand inclusive education and improve economic opportunities for Deaf youth and women through skills training and entrepreneurship.

The organisation said Gambian Sign Language should be promoted across the wider education system rather than being limited to specialised institutions for Deaf learners.

NUDY also called for greater accessibility of public information and national television programming, and urged sustained funding for the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities established under the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2021.

It said adequate funding was needed to turn disability policies and programmes into tangible improvements for persons with disabilities.

NUDY commended the Gambia Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (GADHOH), Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, National Human Rights Commission, St John’s School for the Deaf and other stakeholders for supporting the commemoration.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to “Leave No One Behind” and “Nothing About Us Without Us”, calling for greater recognition of Deaf culture, identity, language and leadership across The Gambia.

By Madi Njie