Korean Sign Language Day
본문
On February 3rd, the first day of Spring according to the lunar calendar. In particular, this day comes with a more special meaning for persons with hearing impairments, because it is the first observed 'Korean Sign Language Day' that takes place this year.
In commemoration of the enactment date of the Korean Sign Language Act (February 3rd, 2016), the day when Korean Sign Language was recognized as the official language of persons with hearing impairments with the same qualifications as the Korean language. It is a legal anniversary established to raise public awareness of Korean sign language.
As of 2018, the number of PwD in Korea is more than 2.5 million, of which about 13.2% (about 330,000 people) are DEAF. This is the second highest percentage of PwD.
There are three main ways to communicate for persons with hearing impairments. These are sign language, lipreading, and handwriting. According to the 'Korean Sign Language Survey Report' published in 2017 by the National Institute of the Korean Language, 33.3% of DEAF understand general conversation through lipreading and more than 82.9% of DEAF do through sign language (2.5 times higher).
As such, sign language is the main means of communication used by many hearing impaired people and is a language that has the same qualifications as the Korean language. However, the reality is that the status was low due to the incomprehension of society and the exclusive attitude toward minority languages. Therefore, efforts are needed to make DEAF proud of sign language and to increase the national understanding of sign language. This is why the 'Korean Sign Language Day' was established.
The right to access information of persons with visual and hearing impairments is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, and the ACT ON THE PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, REMEDY AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS, ETC stipulates the'duty to provide reasonable accomodation' to guarantee the right. Therefore, the request for sign language interpretation by persons with disabilities should be viewed from the perspective of guaranteeing “basic rights''.
In COVID-19, which continued from last year, and various disasters that occurred before that, persons with hearing impaired experienced discrimination and exclusion due to the lack of support for sign language interpretation in broadcasting, medical institutions and etc. This may be due to a false perception that sign language provision is understood as an “additional service” rather than a “basic right”
Last year, there were also several remarkable achievements that raised the status of sign language. Sign language interpreters were deployed at government policy briefings including COVID-19. Starting with a press conference held by Rep. Hyeyoung Jang, sign language interpretation was provided at the Communication Hall of the National Assembly. Subsequently, the amendment bill initiated by the chair of the National Assembly was passed, and it became obligatory to provide Korean sign language, closed captions, and screen commentary when relaying legislative activities and meetings of the National Assembly Standing Committee. Sign language interpretation was also provided for the main news of the three terrestrial broadcasting companies (KBS, MBC, SBS). It is noteworthy that the public's interest and understanding of sign language has increased thanks to the pan-national 'Thank You Challenge' to encourage medical staff.
But there is still a long way to go. Due to the spread of COVID-19, it has been switched to online classes, but because sign language interpretation is not provided, students with hearing impairments are still infringed upon their right to study. As seen in the President's New Year's Address at the beginning of the year, the Blue House still takes a passive attitude to the demand for a sign language interpreter. It’s a matter that requires staffing and budget, they said, although the National Human Rights Commission of Korea expressed its position last year to provide a sign language interpreter for the Blue House speech.
Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan have already been legally recognized for sign language and are conducting academic research. The awareness of sign language has also been well developed, so the government has assigned sign language interpreters for policy announcements or press conferences, and is also exported to broadcasting. Even in the field, sign language interpreters are dispatched, and they are displayed on TV at a rate of 50%. Even if they only occupy only a few percent of the total population, there is a national consensus and consensus that recognizes them as the rights subject to be guaranteed the right to know. (Reference: Able News (Jan 19th 2021).
KODAF hopes that “Korean Sign Language Day”, which is held for the first time this year, will not only be a simple event but will take root in our society. Through this, KODAF hopes that this will raise the status of sign language and form a national consensus for people with disabilities who speak sign language to advance to a society free from discrimination.
