UNA to hire sign language interpreters for rallies

BAGUIO CITY - The United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) announced Sunday that it will be hiring interpreters to provide sign language support for the hearing-impaired attending its rallies. "We will try our best that the presence of a sign language interpreter be a standard component in our rallies. We don't want the PWD [persons with disabilities] sector to be disenfranchised in the 2013 elections, and we encourage even those in the other camp to follow suit," said UNA campaign manager and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco. "We recognize the need to break the communication barrier. Language plays a notable role in the election, and sign language is a good way to learn about the candidates and their programs for the people," he added. Tiangco said the party also plans to update all of its political television ads to incorporate subtitles and closed-caption features. "We would want to bring the campaign to a larger audience, especially those in the PWD sector. It is UNA's advocacy to push for legislation that will provide hearing-impaired individuals access to information and bring them closer to modern communication tools that would empower them," he said. UNA will be facing off with the Liberal Party on Sunday during simultaneous rallies in Baguio City. "The people of Baguio will gave a chance to know which party has a better legislative agenda.  We take the challenge of the Liberal Party very seriously in presenting UNA's platform, that's why we wanted everyone—able and those physically challenged—to be involved in the whole electoral process, including their right to information," said Tiangco. — BM, GMA News