You may think there are around 400 cases of Coronavirus in India right?
Now the number has increased to 500 in a short span of time!
The government has announced an intensive lockdown.
Only important services such as groceries, chemists, etc. will remain open.
The government has implemented strict rules for the containment of Covid-19.
There are many communication services available for hearing persons to help them deal with the pandemic.
But what about the Deaf?
There are many Deaf individuals infected with the virus.
Communication is extremely difficult for them and they are facing so many problems.
We are very happy to announce that the interpreters across India
have volunteered their interpreting services free of cost.
They have volunteered interpreting service communicate issues related to the COVID-19.
I am so happy!
Even NAD had released this news a few days back.
Honestly, this is no joke. The number of infections are rapidly rising.
This is why we decided to share the information again so that more Deaf people become aware and make use of this service.
There are certain instructions to follow for contacting the volunteering interpreters
so that the process is smooth for the interpreter and Deaf individual.
Let me tell you the points.
1. The interpreters have voluntered their services free of cost.
These services will only be for cases related to the COVID-19.
Services for help in finding job, marriage partners, family issues, etc will not be entertained.
This is only for issues related to the Coronavirus. These services will last for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
2. Here is the list of the interpreters that have volunteered to help. You can download it from the description box below.
3. Contact these volunteer interpreters through video-call if/when you go to the hospital/doctor.
4.Only Deaf individuals can call the interpreter so they recieve accessibility.
5. If you visit the doctor or hospital for issues related to Coronavirus, please do not call and trouble interpreters.
Plan your call and inform the timings to the Interpreter before the visit to the doctor. So that the interpreter can schedule the call.
This is because there are many Deaf individuals in India who will be making calls.
So please do not bombard them with calls. Better plan in advance.
6. Please video call interpreters, between 9:00am to 6:00pm.
This is only for cases related to Coronavirus.
Do not make calls to interpreters and ask off track questions.
This is a very big problem and interpreters are volunteering their services to help. So please do not waste their time.
7. You can contact interpreters between 9:00am to 6:00pm.
What if there is an urgent situation?
Interpreters will be available 10:00pm to 8:00am.
However only through voice calls.
8. Please remember, while interpreting, please do not ask the interpreter for medical advice.
The interpreter is not a medical expert but is only providing interpreting services.
So please remember.
9. Please watch NAD/UN videos on YouTube for clarifications of the COVID19 virus.
10. This is the last point.
Thank you to these wonderful interpreters for offering their volunteering services.
I hope you understood these 10 points.
Please follow these rules so that it is easy for the interpreters and Deaf to work together and will help to battle the virus.
If you want to protect India from the virus,
then first you have to unitedly follow the advisories announced by the government and remain at home.
Then we will win this battle against the Coronavirus.