An appeal to Trinidad and Tobago from the deaf

THE EDITOR: How terribly unfair life can be to us, the differently-abled community in TT. Deaf people in this country are, like children, “seen, but not heard.” This time we intend to be heard.

TV6 was the first television channel to carry the signed news for the deaf, and deaf people flocked to the station to be kept up to date with the latest news each night. Then, abruptly, without warning or consideration, we were cut off, just like that.

July 4 was the last time we saw the signed news on TV6. Many deaf people asked, “Why no sign language interpreter on TV6?” We had looked forward to this our best programme on TV6, and now it was cut.

It was not only inconsiderate, it was also disrespectful. We were told that TV6 could not afford to have the signed news on air. After years of support, the sponsor of the signed news was gone.

We were told that TV6 simply did not have the money. But look at the headline on August 9, page 8, in the Daily Express newspaper: “OCM’s half-year profits grow amid digital expansion.” Then the amazing first sentence: “One Caribbean Media Ltd (OCM) has reported a net profit before tax of $13.4 million for the half year ended June 30, 2024, representing a three per cent increase compared to the corresponding period last year.”

OCM is the mega-business group of which TV6 is an important part. Why deprive and hurt the deaf and hard of hearing community like this? We are deaf, not dumb.

Does TV6 know that this action that it has taken against the deaf and hard of hearing community is also against its licence regulations as issued by the Telecommunications Authority of TT? Does it know that it is also directly against the spirit and the letter of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to which TT is a signatory? Are equal opportunities for everyone, but not for the deaf?

We, the deaf community, appeal to you, hearing TT. Hear us. Are you content to go along with the disrespect being handed out to the deaf community? If you or your loved one was deaf or hard of hearing, would you be dumb on this issue? This is a most oppressive move by One Caribbean Media since OCM is simply raking in even bigger profits.

This is painful to the deaf and hard of hearing community. Please reinstate the signed news on TV6.

VALDANO TOBIAS

deaf advocate

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