DeafSA, SABC partner to address deaf needs

SABC spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago stated that DeafSA and the SABC are partners in addressing the challenges that face the deaf community in South Africa. He further said it will be important for both parties to focus on how the SABC can maintain its mandate, to educate, inform and to entertain the public and that includes the deaf community. National director of DeafSA, Bruno Druchen agreed that DeafSA and the SABC will work together.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng, SABC group executive: stakeholder management, indicated that all the needs will not be addressed overnight but it will be implemented in phases with deadlines. He suggested that immediate action should be taken by implementing pilot programmes with subtitles.

Druchen added that as part of the pilot programmes, the SABC should make the 7pm and 8pm news bulletins accessible and that all public events should be included to keep the deaf community informed.

The SABC undertook to request production houses to make their programmes accessible by providing subtitles and DeafSA will contact industry to produce adverts with subtitles.

Government's deadline for the Digital Terrestrial Terrain (DTT) to be fully functional is 2013, which will address the matter of subtitles.

The SABC will investigate whether it will broadcast the XVI World Federation of the Deaf Congress to be held 18-24 July 2011. The live coverage will be considered for the opening ceremony that coincides with the International Nelson Mandela Day.