News

2008

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UNAD has started a 3 months intensive sign language training in the districts of Busia and Kayunga.

The programme is targeting 30 deaf and 20 hearing persons who will later serve as Trainers of trainees in the sub counties of the two district.Busia and Kayunga district local governments have pledged to facilitate the ToTs to train in the rural areas.

UNAD has organised a two months mini Sign language training programme for Moroto district.

The objective of the program is to enhance communication and access to services among the Deaf people in Moroto district through ToTs training in Sign language. Under this arrangement 4 people (2 hearing and 2 deaf ) are to be identified and trained in Kampala. These ToTs will be in charge of training others in Karamoja region particularly Moroto district.

Training of the Deaf in HIV/ AIDS has started in 3 districts of Masaka, Gulu and Soroti.

The training is a continuation of the activities that started in 2007 .This activity is funded under the Trust Fund of National Union of Persons With Disabilities in Uganda (NUDIPU) which the later applied to Civil Society Fund from Uganda AIDS Commission.

Gulu Deaf Association and AVSI are developing a HIV/ AIDS training manual for the Deaf.

The idea of the manual follows numerous partnership programs in areas of HIV/ AIDs that started in 2006. The manual will be used by Deaf ToTs in training HIV/ AIDS . It is designed to meet the low levels of education , hence it is simplified in language and with illustrative pictures.

Minister of State for Disaster preparedness Hon Ecweru Musa pledges to support PWDs in conflict /disaster areas.

The minister said this during the Deaf awareness Week celebrations in Gulu where he was the chief guest. He noted that many programmes exclude PWDs . He requested Mps representing PWDs in Parliament to coordinate such programmes with his office.

Uganda National Association of the Deaf (UNAD) has entered into partnership with United States based African development agency the African Development Foundation(ADF).

The partnership to last for 5 years (2008-2013).This follows the approval of UNAD project proposals by ADF.ADF is pledging a maximum of 250,000 US dollars towards the project whose main goal is to improve the livelihood of Deaf people in Uganda. The project activities will include construction of a resource centre that will be used for trainings in Sign language, carpentry, Information Communication Technology (ICT), knitting and tailoring among others. The resource centre will be built on UNAD plot in Mukono district approximately 15km from Kampala city.During the ceremony to sign the agreement ADF Uganda country Representative Mr. Timothy Nzioka described the project as a special case and reminded UNAD to adhere to the terms of the agreement. The ceremony which took place at ADF country office in Uganda was also witness by Ms. Joan Rutaroh-Programme manager Uganda Development Trust (UDET) which is the consulting firm for ADF funded projects in Uganda.

UNAD partnership with Finnish Association of the Deaf (FAD) is to kick start with effect from July 2008.

The 3 year partnership will focus on sign language training to Deaf, their family members and service providers including teachers of the deaf , health workers etc . 10 district Deaf associations are set to benefit from the project that will run up to 2010.

Another 2 year project proposal focusing on Sign language training and capacity building in 4 districts of Uganda has been approved by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Washington DC-USA.

The project to be implemented in Kasese, Mbale, Pader and Masindi districts will commence around October 2008.

Uganda National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (UNASLI) is to hold its second General Assembly from 3-6 July 2008 in Kampala.

The General Assembly is being supported by UNAD and Pact Omega.

The UNAD-Concern partnership project successfully ended as per project life span.

UNAD fully complied with all the requirements of the agreement to the satisfaction of Concern –Uganda.

UNAD in partnership with AAIU Southern region, participated in global action week campaign for education celebrations in Mubende district.

In partnership with AAIU Southern region, UNAD participated in the celebrations to commemorate the global action week campaign for education that was held in Mubende district. UNAD was represented by the information officer who participated in the radio talk show and presented a speech on the theme of the campaign “Quality education for all ;End exclusion now. “Responding to the speech presented by UNAD, the Mayor of Mubende Mr. Kizito Ziwa pledged to donate to UNAD a piece of land to set up Deaf school in Mubende town.

UNAD will provide Sign Language Interpretation to UBC TV during their weekly news update programme aired on Saturdays.

UNAD has reached a break through with UBC TV.The latter accepted the commencing of Sign Language interpretation during their weekly news update programme that is aired Saturdays. Recording will be made on Fridays from 2:00Pm. UNAD was requested to provide SLI and meet the costs.

UNAD/KDDP has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with UNDP

UNAD/KDDP has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) with UNDP valued at 20,280,000 UGX to implement specific activities with the community of Nyakitunda and Kabuyanda sub counties in Isingiro District in Western Uganda. The major activities stipulated in the MoU are Sign Language training to parents, Deaf, community members, mobilization and sensitization of the target group.

Presentation to the 3rd Annual forum of children with special needs in Doha, Qatar by the gender and theatre coordinator

The gender and theatre coordinator was invited to present a paper during the 3rd Annual forum of children with special needs in Doha. She presented a paper on Deaf people’s Experiences of theatre as Recreation Abilities for Social Inclusion.The paper drew the attention of many partners and media.It was even published in the Gulf Times-the Qatar leading Newspaper.

Pact Omega funded Sign Language training successfully ended

The Pact Omega funded partnership project with UNAD in Northern Uganda districts of Gulu and Lira whose main objectives was to train 20 Sign language Interpreters and build capacity of Lira Deaf Association has successful ended with its objectives achieved. The 10 students from Lira were handed certificates at Lira District Chambers at a ceremony presided over by district council officials.

UNAD Launches Sign Language Interpreters Preparatory Programme

UNAD has commenced a Sign language interpreters preparatory programme at its head office in Kamwokya Bukoto Street. The programme that runs for 3 months was started in October 2007 with the aim the objective of providing interpretation skills to persons with basic sign language. Interested people should call 256-414-532875 or e-mail us at unad@infocom.co.ug.

UNAD/Concern partnership evaluated

Evaluation of UNAD/Concern partnership has been carried out by Mentor Consult Uganda Ltd. According to the 20 page report the project achieved its objective and was worth. It recommends its replication in other districts of Uganda. For details see the report. A workshop to disseminate the findings is planned early March 2008.

Construction of a Carpentry Workshop at Kinyinya unit for the Deaf in Kyenjojo district to commence

The construction of a carpentry workshop at Kinyinya unit for the Deaf in Kyenjojo district is set to commence. The around 20 million UGX project is to be funded by Action Aid International Uganda.

The parliament of Uganda adopted the report of the standing committee on Equal opportunities on the petition by Deaf people of Uganda

The parliament of Uganda on 20th Febuary 2008 adopted the report of the standing committee on Equal opportunities on the petition by Deaf people of Uganda . In 2006 during the celebrations to mark the International Deaf Week, Deaf members presented a petition to the Hon Edward Ssekandi-Speaker of Parliament of Uganda. The petition is attached.

Kyenjojo District Association of the Deaf delegates elects new leaders

Kyenjojo District Association of the Deaf (KDAD) delegates have elected new leaders.The elections were held at Impresson One Hotel in Kyenjojo town –Western Uganda about 200 Km from Kampala .The assembly attracted 44 delegates. According to KDAD constitution leaders serve for a term of 3 years.