Olawuyi calls for upscale of support services

A  Professor at the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Ilorin, Prof. Bolanle Olawuyi, has called for an improvement in the delivery of support services to members of the University community who have special needs such that the services match the best available in the world.

Prof. Olawuyi made this call recently while delivering a keynote address titled “Communication  Methods for Students with Hearing Impairment in an Inclusive Setting: The Need for Sign Language Interpreters” at the opening session of a Three Day In-House Training organised by the Centre for Support Services for the Deaf (CSSD), University of Ilorin.

The don noted that the Centre needed to employ  more interpreters to meet the standard, which is a maximum of two students to an interpreter and also called for the introduction of speech to text technology and reintroduction of the sign language into GNS  curriculum.

Similarly, the don called on the government to encourage parents with deaf children to learn sign language so that the children can expand their cognitive ability and develop emotionally right from home.

 Prof. Olawuyi described an inclusive environment as the type that accommodates everyone regardless of the peculiar disability such that no one is treated as a squater and none feels that he or she has  inferior or superior rights.

The don also said that like all languages, the sign language is dynamic and it evolves overtime. This, she said , makes it an imperative for interpreters to update their skills constantly.

She urged interpreters to develop emotional  shock absorbers and always employ total communication methods  while interpreting.

The renowned academic elucidated further on total communication, saying it involves the use of the mouth for lip reading,  speech for the partially deaf, finger spelling to communicate new and knotty words , and also the use of the body and face to communicate gestures and emotions.

Prof. Olawuyi also emphasised that interpreters must ensure that their hands are placed below the chin and they use a well-lit environment while on duty in order to communicate effectively.

While speaking at the event,  the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof Lasiele Alabi Yahaya, disclosed that the nomenclature of the Centre will soon change because the Centre does not only support deaf people, but it cares for all disabilities and special needs, adding that “ support  services is beyond sign language”.

Prof. Yahya promised to communicate the needs of the Centre to the University management, noting that the Prof. Egbewole-led administration leaves no one behind.

While appreciating the University for its support to the CSSD, the Director of the Centre,  Prof Taiwo Ambali, urged participants to encourage students and members of the University Community who have disabilities and need for other special support to register at the Centre in order to benefit from the services provided by the Centre.

The opening session was attended by Dr P. A. Kolawole and Mr J. O. Isarinade who are Deputy Directors  at the Centre,  Mr S. T Shuaib who represented a former Director of the Centre, Prof. Bello  and also attended by the Centre’s interpreters.