This week, the Ministry of National Education awarded certificates to approximately thirty teachers who completed a nine-day, 52-hour training course on Braille and Sign Language.

Louis-Pierre Janvier, Coordinator of the Commission for School Adaptation and Social Support (CASAS), who expressed his satisfaction with the successful outcome of this training, warmly thanked Minister Augustin Antoine and the Director General of the Ministry, Yves Roblin, who, in their own way, facilitated the success of this training seminar, which aims to strengthen the skills of teachers in special schools, particularly those serving blind, visually impaired, or deaf children, by enabling them to read and write Braille and master Sign Language. He also thanked UNICEF, which provided financial support for this training.

The CASAS Coordinator took this opportunity to intensify his advocacy on behalf of children and youth living with disabilities and specifically recalled the Law on the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, which sets out the MENFP's obligations regarding the training of teachers assigned to special education centers.

Article 36 of this law stipulates that "The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training is required to recruit teachers qualified in sign language or braille to train educational managers and staff at all levels."

Louis Pierre Janvier then cited the provisions of Article 39 of this legislation: "The Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training must take all necessary measures to encourage the learning of braille, sign language, and modes, means, and forms of augmentative and alternative communication, the development of orientation and mobility skills, as well as peer support and mentoring."

To demonstrate the quality of the skills acquired during this training, some participants simulated several situations in sign language, notably involving a teacher and learners.

IH/ iciHaiti