KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Libraries and Information Network (JAMLIN) has launched a phased Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) training programme aimed at eliminating communication barriers within the nation’s public library system and promoting greater inclusion for members of the deaf community.

The initiative, titled ‘Bridging the Gap: One Sign at a Time’, was officially launched on Monday, at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, St Andrew.

The programme will provide structured sign language training for user-facing staff across the library network, including the National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) and parish libraries islandwide, to better serve deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons.

In her remarks, delivered by NLJ Board Chair, Joy Douglas, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, affirmed that the initiative reflects the ministry’s ongoing commitment to enhancing services and facilities for persons with disabilities.

Grange emphasised that inclusion must extend to Jamaicans with diverse physical and intellectual challenges, noting that the ministry has already implemented measures to broaden participation in sports and culture.

Among these initiatives are the Deaf Dance Programme at the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), and continued support for Special Olympics Jamaica.

Minister Grange noted that the sign language training programme goes beyond breaking a long-standing communication barrier.

“This is more than us saying to the deaf community, -‘we see you’ or ‘we value you’. This is about empowerment and building independence,” she underscored.

Grange indicated that the initiative has the ministry’s full support, and expressed hope that, in time, Jamaican Sign Language will be widely taught in schools – similar to foreign languages – to help eliminate communication barriers across society.

Executive Director of the Jamaica Association for the Deaf (JAD), Kimberly Sherlock Marriot-Blake, welcomed the launch, describing it as a significant milestone in advancing accessibility and national development.

She noted that for more than 16 years, the JAD has provided Jamaican Sign Language training to a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including teachers, civil society groups, and public- and private-sector entities.

The executive director emphasised that language access transforms not only individual interactions but entire systems, making them more equitable and responsive.

“As a national institution entrusted with preserving our knowledge and heritage, the library plays a critical role in ensuring that all Jamaicans have access to information and can engage in our collective story,” she said.

Marriot-Blake commended JAMLIN and the NLJ for recognising that accessibility extends beyond physical entry to include communication access, ensuring that deaf patrons and staff receive equitable and respectful service.

She added that the initiative opens the door for deeper collaboration, including inclusive public education efforts and the preservation of deaf culture as an integral part of Jamaica’s national identity.

Director of the Centre for Disability Studies at the UWI, Senator Professor Floyd Morris, reaffirmed his commitment to securing official recognition for Jamaican Sign Language, underscoring its importance in advancing inclusivity and equal access for the deaf community.

— JIS