COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN

The suspension of a deaf assistance service has prompted calls for sign language interpretation as a basic right

- STORY: THANA BOONLERT

Athipat Boonleang, a deaf gay rider, was on the way to deliver a parcel. Confused by the customer's location, she sent a text message to no avail. She contacted an online sign language interpretation service only to find that it is suspended.

"Fortunately, a stranger helped me communicate by phone," she said. "But I am not lucky every time."

Siriyada Prachayakanjana, a deaf transgender food vendor, had a medical appointment for hormone treatment. However, the online sign language interpretation service stalls and sign language interpreters are not available to accompany her either.

"Without assistance, I struggle to read and understand medical terms [written on paper]. A blunder could affect my life," she said.

For nearly two months, the suspension of this communication lifeline has impacted thousands of deaf individuals, including Athipat and Siriyada. The Thai Telecommunication Relay Service (TTRS) announced a hiatus on June 13, citing lack of funding from the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission (NBTC). According to the TTRS, there are around 1,200-1,600 calls per day or 450,000 calls per year.

In the aftermath of its temporary closure, around 50 deaf people gathered at the NBTC earlier this month, calling for a renewal of the project. Wantanee Phantachat, director of the TTRS, told media that it has been delayed for two years.

According to the Universal Service Obligation of the NBTC, the subcommittee has already given a green light and will forward it to the executive board in August.

This incident is just the tip of the barrier of communication problems. As July marks Disability Pride Month, "change is needed to ensure inclusion of deaf people in our society. A sign language interpretation service should be integrated to increase their access to information", Chanakan Pittayapoovanai, manager for the Disability Service Centre (DSC), told Life.