Speaking Inclusion Through Sign Language

Through sign language, peer education and compassionate referral support, Josephine Bakita is helping young people with hearing impairments obtain essential health information and services with greater dignity, privacy and confidence.

“Communication is a basic human right, and I wanted to become a bridge.”

For many young people with hearing impairments, visiting a health facility can be an isolating experience. Important health information is often communicated verbally, few service providers understand sign language, and accessible information materials remain scarce. These barriers can prevent young people from asking questions, making informed decisions or reporting violence.

Josephine Bakita, a peer educator and sign language interpreter trained through Naguru Teenage Centre and the Safeguard Young People programme, is helping to change this reality.

From passion to purposeful action

Before joining Naguru Teenage Centre , Josephine already had a passion for supporting persons with disabilities. However, she lacked the specialised skills and platform needed to turn that passion into meaningful action.

Through the programme, she received training in peer education, disability rights, inclusive communication and Uganda Sign Language. She also learned to use creative approaches, including drama and storytelling, to communicate sensitive information about sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence. Naguru Teenage Centre provided opportunities for Josephine to engage directly with young people with disabilities during community outreaches, school activities, health facility visits, dialogues, meetings and training sessions. Most importantly, the programme transformed how she understood disability inclusion.

“Naguru Teenage Centre helped me move from sympathy to a rights-based approach. Persons with disabilities do not need pity. They need equal access, respect and opportunities.”

Today, Josephine shares information, provides peer counselling, distributes condoms and educational materials, creates awareness within communities, and links young people to appropriate health facilities. She also advocates for the inclusion of young people with disabilities in programmes and public services.

Breaking the silence around SRHR and GBV

Young people with hearing impairments encounter several barriers when seeking services. Most health information is delivered verbally or through audio-based platforms, while many health workers, counsellors and police officers cannot communicate in sign language.

Some young people do not know where to obtain family planning services, HIV testing, counselling or support after experiencing violence. Others fear that involving an interpreter may compromise their privacy. Stigma and harmful assumptions, including the belief that young people with disabilities are not sexually active, further restrict access to essential information and care.

Josephine uses sign language to bridge these gaps and ensure that young people can communicate their concerns, understand the available options and make informed decisions about their health.

“Interpreting is not simply moving your hands. It is about inclusion, dignity and equality. Knowing that someone is understood, included and empowered through my hands is what motivates me every day.”

Through community activities, outreaches and referrals, Josephine estimates that she has reached more than 1,000 young people with information and support.

A Young mother finds confidence and purpose

Among the young people Josephine has supported is a 22-year-old deaf mother of two whose identity has been withheld for her protection. The young woman was living in an abusive household and experiencing violence from members of her extended family. Whenever she met Josephine at the health facility, she felt safe enough to remain there and communicate openly. Recognising that the young woman needed time, privacy and someone who would listen without judgement, Josephine set aside a morning to hear her story.

Josephine counselled her, discussed her reproductive health needs and supported her to access a long-acting family planning method of her choice. She also encouraged her to explore a small income-generating activity that could strengthen her independence and confidence.

The young woman took the advice positively and started a small business. When an opportunity later arose to recruit peer educators with disabilities, Josephine connected her to the programme. Today, the two women work alongside each other as peer educators.

“She is now happier, more confident and empowered. She is also using her experience to support other young people with disabilities.”

Her journey demonstrates what becomes possible when a young person is listened to, given accessible information and connected to opportunities. She is no longer viewed only as a beneficiary but is recognised as an agent of change.

Signs of change and gaps that remain

Josephine has observed encouraging changes among the young people she supports. More young people are seeking health services, reporting cases of violence and participating confidently in community activities. Their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence has improved, while communities are gradually becoming more accepting and inclusive.

However, major barriers remain. Josephine is often the only sign language interpreter available during outreaches; health facility visits and the reporting of gender-based violence cases. When she is unavailable, deaf young people may miss services entirely.

Some service providers are impatient or hold negative attitudes towards young people with disabilities. Interpretation services, particularly when supporting survivors at police stations, are rarely funded, forcing peer educators to use their own limited resources. There is also an urgent need for accessible information, education and communication materials presented in Uganda Sign Language and other visual formats. A call for disability inclusive services

Josephine believes that health facilities can begin closing these gaps by training health workers in basic sign language, providing qualified interpreters, developing visual information materials, communicating directly with deaf clients and protecting their privacy.

“Do not hide young people with disabilities at home. They need SRHR and GBV information and services just like every other young person. Include them, listen to them and protect their rights.”

Josephine’s work shows that disability inclusion is essential to equitable healthcare. Continued investment in trained peer educators, accessible communication materials and disability responsive services will enable many more young people to obtain the information, care and protection they need.

Through peer educators such as Josephine, Naguru Teenage Centre and the programme are helping ensure that no young person is left behind.

Story by:

Thembo Joshua

BCC/Advocacy Manager