The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region 6 conducted an advanced sign language training to further capacitate frontliners on sign language and address the communication gap with deaf and hard of hearing clients.

A total of 30 Business Counselors and persons with disabilities (PWD Focal Persons of DTI 6 participated and completed the saidadvanced training held on 26 – 27 April 2022 in Diversion 21 Hotel, Iloilo City. DTI Region 6 invited trainers from SPED Integrated School for Exceptional Children (ISEC) to deliver the training and was chaired by Dr. Dorothy S. Tarol.

In addition, a group of Deaf was invited to demonstrate signs during the practical exercises. The advanced training was conducted to widen the sign language skills of the participants which they acquired during the basic sign language training held in November last year.

The training is an initiative of DTI Region 6 to support the DTI’s Disability Inclusive Governance and in compliance with the Republic Act 11106, an “Act Declaring The Filipino Sign Language As The National Sign Language Of The Filipino Deaf And The Official Sign Language Of Government In All Transactions Involving The Deaf, And Mandating Its Use In Schools, Broadcast Media, And Workplaces”.

In addition, in July, DTI 6 will conduct a regional promotional fair for PWD micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) called UbraPWD sang Rehiyon Seis and entrepreneurship training for PWD Youth called HOORAY PWD. DTI Region 6 will continue to support and involve all PWDs in the economic development of Western Visayas. ♦

Date of Release: 12 May 2022