Sign language used in Parliament for the first time on Monday

IT WAS AN historic day when the House of Assembly met at its Calliaqua location on Monday, September 29, 2025, when the opening session was interpreted using sign language for the first time.

This was acknowledged first by the Speaker of the House, Rochelle Forde, and later, by the Minister with responsibility for persons with disabilities, Senator Keisal Peters.

In a ministerial statement on Monday, Peters noted that International Day of Sign Languages is observed annually on September, 23.

Locally, to mark the occasion she said, “for the first time, the opening of today’s Parliament session is being presented live using sign language.”

This was done by Terrance Davis and Cindy Roberts, whom the minister thanked openly. Davis, a former student and teacher at the School for Special Needs (SCSN), Kingstown, is currently the Vice President/Co-ordinator at the National Society for Persons with Disabilities (NSPD), while Roberts currently teaches at the school.

Students of various schools and organizations which cater to the education, skills, and other needs of persons with disability, were also present in parliament on Monday.

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