May Day Message – Sign language interpretation ‘live’ broadcast on MediaCorp Channel 5.
30 April 2020 – Tonight’s May Day message is the first to have real-time sign language interpreters allowed on Channel 5 live broadcast!
Zach Tay, Staff interpreter from the Singapore Association for the Deaf appears in a small box beside Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for the May Day 2020 Message.
Since the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) on 30th November 2012, The Singapore Association for the Deaf has been advocating for the provision of Sign Language Interpreters and Subtitles in all national broadcast.
The promise to provide full access to the Deaf Community has been fulfilled progressively by states parties. According to a report from the Straits Times, National Rally 2012 was the first time Sign Language Interpreters were featured for a national broadcast. In 2012, sign language interpreters were being featured on webcast instead of the national broadcast and no subtitles were available. Looking back, SADeaf has come a long way.
SADeaf will continue with our advocacy efforts to make Singapore a more inclusive place for the Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing and Deafblind community in Singapore.
Barry Ong administrator
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