Concerns about sign-language interpretation at local gov't debates being addressed - JDC

The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) says it is addressing concerns about sign-language interpretation following the first of two debates for the local government elections. 

Representatives of the Jamaican deaf community have harshly criticised the commission over the quality of the interpretation at Thursday's debate. 

"We have been served food with a bitter flavour. The Jamaican Deaf Community, which also includes individuals who use Jamaican Sign Language, were devastated when they encountered the "interpreter" who signed  at the Jamaica Debates Commission, who was not well equipped to perform the role of an interpreter," said a statement shared on social media on Friday by nationally recognised interpreter Antoinette Aiken. 

It added that: "The combination of a very small screen, with the background being the same colour of the individual's clothing who was attempting to "interpret", caused us to strain our eyes while attempting to comprehend what was being said". 

In a response Friday afternoon, the JDC acknowledged the concerns that the deaf community was "not being served at the usually high standard the commission has held over the years".

"The commission has already been taking steps to address the pace of sign-language interpretation and the size of the space being utilised for the picture-in-picture feature used, to address the concerns for the deaf community for the next debate," added the statement which came from JDC vice chairman Brian Schmidt. 

Meanwhile, the commission says it was "pleased with the smooth execution" of the first debate, which focused on local government policy and reform areas such as directly elected mayors, autonomy over funding and corruption. 

The second 90-minute debate is scheduled for 9 p.m. this evening and will examine on local government issues such as garbage collection, markets among other areas. 

The team debate will see the ruling Jamaica Labour Party going up against the main opposition People's National Party.

The JLP participants will be Kingston Mayor Delroy Williams, St James councillor-candidate Richard Vernon and his St Elizabeth colleague Whitney Smith-Currie

The PNP's team comprises Andrew Swaby, a candidate for the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation, Scean Barnswell, candidate for the Clarendon Municipal Corporation and Kadian Harty, who is running for a seat in the St Ann Municipal Corporation. 

The debates are aired live on radio and television as well as streamed on various social media platforms. 

The JDC says it also facilitates several virtual “Debates Watch” sessions across the island and will be releasing data from polling to be done after the elections involving collection of data about the debates' relevance, effectiveness and assistance to voters in determining their voting intentions and actions.

The elections are set for February 26.

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