Sign language interpreters will now need warrant after 'landmark' legislation
Disability Rights Minister says changes were requested by the deaf community and interpreters
Sign language interpreters must now be warranted following legislation that passed through Parliament’s final stage earlier this week.
Disability Rights Minister Julia Farrugia said the changes come at the request of the deaf community as well as interpreters.
Under the new law, spearheaded by Farrugia, any person working professionally as an interpreter will need to have completed their studies at a recognised university and then be approved by the warranting board.
The warranting board will be made up of seven members, all of whom are interpreters.
The law will take effect in two months' time.
In a statement, the Association for Sign Language Interpreters described the new law as a “landmark moment... establishing long-awaited standards, recognition and accountability through formal registration and warranting.”
“It is a significant milestone not only for interpreters, but also for the Deaf community, whose right to high-quality, professional Maltese Sign Language (LSM) interpreting services across Malta and Gozo will now be enshrined in Maltese law,” they said.
Farrugia said the initiative was a "true example of cooperation between the Ministry, interpreters and service users, to create a system that ensures a badge of quality for deaf users while elevating this important profession,” Farrugia said.