Costa Rican Government Insurance Institution Includes Sign Language on its Publicity
From: Luis Fernando Astorga Gatjens (lferag@racsa.co.cr)/With information from: Costa Rican National Insurance Institute Bulletin
The Costa Rican Sign Language "LESCO" has been included by the National Insurance Institute on its campaigns. This is one way of complying with the Costa Rican Law of Equal Opportunities, which states: "
"We are the first government institution, an perhaps we are even ahead of the private sector, to include LESCO in our publicity. This is very satisfactory for us, now we are reaching about 80.000 deaf persons in Costa Rica," says Mr. German Serrano Pinto, Executive President of this state owned insurance company.
With respect to information programs, the Law 7600 specifically establishes in Chapter VI, Article 51: "Article 51. Information programs. In order to ensure the right of persons with hearing impairments to be informed, Public information programs broadcast by public or private television, must provide support services, including sign language or closed captioning."
This is one of the actions taken by this institution as an attempt toward the social inclusion of persons with disabilities in Costa Rica. Other measures undertaken were to improve the access to the medical services provided by this Institution: Accessible restrooms, ramps, and elevators, at the new offices and at the Fire Stations, because in Costa Rica, the Insurance Institute is in charge of the Fire Department.
Technical assistance and work was also performed at the Earth Council in preparing graphic material as part of the: "Accessibility of Persons with Disabilities to National Parks and Protected Zones.
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