Tanga — TANZANIA Deaf Society, Tanga branch has initiated a programme to train service providers in public sectors to learn sign language to better serve people with hearing problems.

The chairman of the association's Tanga branch, Mr Ali Nassoro, said that deaf people face many challenges when seeking public service. The training would involve service providers from public service sectors such as health, courts, police, journalists, municipal and town councils.

According to Mr Nassoro, training of service providers would enable them to communicate with ease with deaf people. "People with hearing problems want to see that when they go to get services, they get people they can communicate with in order to get proper services," he said.

He said the presence of at least tow people to communicate with the deaf in public outlets would go a long way in reducing challenges for deaf people in society. "We are still in talks with possible sponsors to support the initiative and things are going on well as it is," he said. He called on various stakeholders to assist their initiatives where possible.