The Deafblind Association of Slovenia DLAN unanimously responds to the broadcast “Listen to the silence: New law to help the deafblind”, that was aired and published on RTV SLO, on June 29, 2024, and prepared by the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia (ZDGNS)
The broadcast “Listen to the silence: New law to help the deafblind”, is a complete misinterpretation of the public and serves as manipulation of the deaf and hard of hearing, the most vulnerable population who have difficulty accessing information. By comparing both broadcasts of ‘Listen to the Silence’ (from April and June 2024 – links at the end of this text) on the topic of the law on the deafblind, it quickly becomes apparent that the same speakers have always been trying, since the establishment of the DLAN Association, to usurp the field of deafblindness and disseminate incorrect and misleading information to the public, aiming to hinder the development of this field. They have been doing this for 19 years!
The broadcast contains numerous lies, misrepresentations, and incorrect information, so we are obliged to respond (briefly through this media) and provide clarification. We have sent more detailed explanations and clarifications to the media and institutions.
To equalize the language of the deafblind with sign language, as presented in the broadcast, demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the subject matter, an unprofessional (amateur) approach to the topic, and harms the entire community. The language of the deafblind is unique and is NOT comparable to Slovenian Sign Language.
Interpreters for Slovenian Sign Language, who prove their qualifications by obtaining a National Vocational Qualification (NPK), are not trained to interpret in the language of the deafblind. The NPK knowledge and skills catalog for Slovenian Sign Language interpreters does not include knowledge and competence for using and interpreting the language of the deafblind. Therefore, the statement made by the director of the Association of Slovenian Sign Language Interpreters is incorrect, unprofessional, and is not considered valid. Moreover, he speaks on behalf of all SZJ interpreters, who are not aware of his position, and it is questionable whether SZJ interpreters would support his statement. We understand his statements as a provocation and discrediting of the deafblind, with the intention of blocking the adoption of the proposed law.
In the broadcast “Listen to the Silence: The Law on the Language of the Deafblind is in Public Discussion,” which was aired in April 2024 (link below), representatives of the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia publicly admitted (at 4:15) that they work with approximately 10 persons with deafblindness. The conditions for granting representative status are clear based on the Law on Disability Organizations. The DLAN Association had previously acquired representative status for people with deafblindness and, based on the above, deafblindness is the only disability in Slovenia represented by two disability organizations. This raises a serious question about the proper granting of representative status to ZDGNS and the purpose of such actions.
The DLAN Association has been operating since 2005, covering the entire Slovenia. It is a pioneer association in the development of the field of work with people with deafblindness and the development of the language of the deafblind in Slovenia. Many professional and scientific publications on the topic of deafblindness and the language of the deafblind are published within the DLAN Association.
Likewise, the language of the deafblind does NOT discriminate against Slovenian Sign Language, as claimed by the representative of ZDGNS. Such an argument is absurd and legally incorrect, based on a complete misunderstanding of the concept of discrimination. The groups of the deafblind and the deaf are incomparable and significantly different, meaning that it is legally permissible to treat them differently. Furthermore, the deaf will not lose anything and will not be disadvantaged by the adoption of the law on the use of the language of the deafblind. Improving the situation of the deafblind, whose status is unregulated and who are therefore a discriminated group, cannot legally constitute discrimination against the deaf. The proposed law does not address the situation of the deaf, even indirectly, raising the question of what interest the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia is pursuing in the public discussion process of the proposed law. The Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia might be opposing the law to protect its financial interests, regardless of the harmful consequences that will result for people with deafblindness. We hope this is not the case, but we fear that it is.
It is also noteworthy that the Association of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing of Slovenia receives over 90,000 € annually from FIHO funds for the development of the language of the deafblind (specifically, 444,064.61 € over the past five years), in addition to funds from the Ministry of Culture. In contrast, for the development of the language of the deafblind, a total of 9,403.96 € from FIHO funds has been allocated over the past four years, and before that, the DLAN Association did not receive any other financial support for this purpose.
The DLAN Association relies on international research, noting that these are estimates and not the actual number of deafblind individuals. These estimates for each country are calculated based on the official population in that country. The DLAN Association provided an estimated number of users for the proposed law on the use of the language of the deafblind, not merely an estimate based on demographic criteria. However, the estimated number of users provided by the DLAN Association was NOT considered in the proposed law.
We emphasize that the DLAN Association is the only organization from Slovenia representing deafblindness internationally and is recognized by international organizations as a representative organization. It is important to understand that the DLAN Association represents only the interests of deafblind individuals (and no other groups), which aligns with the internationally accepted doctrine that a disability organization should represent only one group of people with disabilities and not multiple groups. Representing multiple groups creates a risk of discrimination within the same disability organization. This results in double discrimination, where an already marginalized group becomes discriminated against within the representative organization. A telling example is the situation of the deafblind within a representative organization where the majority are deaf.
