The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has welcomed the pronouncement of the Supreme Court (SC) which provided safety exemptions for deaf litigants and their interpreters during in-court hearings.
SC’s Circular No. 106-2022 encouraged deaf and mute parties and their sign language interpreters to be allowed to appear via online video conferencing.
The CHR said that Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino Chairman Arthur P. Casanova, in consultation with the Philippine Federation of the Deaf and the Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters, explained that wearing face masks makes it difficult for the deaf and sign language interpreters to communicate effectively.
"With masks on, understanding Filipino Sign Language (FSL), which includes hands and non-manual signals, i.e. coordinated movements of the face, head, and body, becomes extremely difficult," CHR Executive Director Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.
“This is further complicated by the social distancing requirement that affects visual acuity of the involved deaf or mute litigants and/or witnesses,” De Guia, a lawyer, said.
She underscored the importance of the participation of all persons, including those with disabilities, to participate in every phase of the judicial process.
"The Commission duly expresses its support to the Supreme Court for this inclusive development as it ensures Persons with Disabilities’ right to equal participation in judicial and administrative proceedings as witness, complainant, or defendant," she stressed.