By rdnewsNOW Staff

Increasing Accessibility

Sign language interpretation to be piloted during meeting with Community and Social Services

May 16, 2021 | 11:23 AM

The Legislative Assembly of Alberta will pilot American Sign Language (ASL) Interpretation on its broadcast during the May 18 meeting of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts with the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

“Like many who provide media content to the public, the Legislative Assembly of Alberta has used closed captioning as a part of its broadcasts for years,” said the honourable Nathan Cooper, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, in a press release. “We are continually reviewing ways to make our work more accessible to the public.”

“During the global pandemic, when critical information is being shared with the public, a light was shed on the importance of ASL Interpretation to ensure better communications with the deaf and hard of hearing community,” he added. “We felt this might provide an opportunity for us to improve our accessibility, particularly when subjects are being discussed that directly impact the deaf and hard of hearing.”

On May 18, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts will meet with the Ministry of Community and Social Services in relation to its 2019-20 Annual Report and any outstanding recommendations from the Auditor General. The meeting will be held from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Government officials say the health and safety of Members, staff, and visitors remains the top priority for the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. Public galleries in the committee rooms are currently closed in accordance with increased health measures.

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You can watch online at assemblyonline.assembly.ab.ca/harmony or on Alberta Assembly TV (TELUS channel 843, Shaw cable channel 930 and Shaw BlueCurve TV channel 263).

“We look forward to any and all feedback we receive when we pilot this service to help us better plan for current and future needs,” concluded Cooper.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts comprises 12 Members of the Legislative Assembly and reviews the reports of the Auditor General of Alberta and the public accounts of the province.

Please visit: assembly.ab.ca/assembly-business/committees/PA