Manitoba Accessibility minister apologizes for comments about sign language interpreter

Manitoba’s Minister for Accessibility is apologizing to the deaf and hard of hearing community after comments she made about an American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter were made public. On Thursday, an ASL-English Interpreter provided her services at an event put on by Minister Nahanni Fontaine to celebrate Indigenous women graduating from high school, college, and university. Interpreter Sheryl LaVallee shared the stage alongside various speakers so members of the audience who communicate using ASL, a visual language comprised of hand movements and facial expressions, could be included in the conversation. Soon after Fontaine made her speech to the crowd, she went to a media scrum off-stage to address reporters. But not before sharing her grievances to press secretary Ryan Stelter. In front of the media, Stelter congratulated Fontaine on her speech. “I was thrown off,” Fontaine replied, “It wasn’t great but, because the woman – she shouldn’t have been on the stage.” Fontaine continued, saying she couldn’t see her left side of the stage due to the interpreter and that “all I could see was her…” “Frantic hand movements?” offered Stelter. “Yes! I’m like, f*** why did I have her on the stage,” added Fontaine, “Jesus, I’m like ‘you need to leave’.” APTN News heard the transgression contained on its video recording while writing the story about the news conference Thursday and promptly contacted the Manitoba Government for comment. They initially denied the request to provide a statement or interview unless APTN would hand over the footage to ‘verify’ the transcript. APTN did provide the transcript but did not comply with the request for the raw footage. Soon after the footage aired Friday afternoon, Fontaine provided the following emailed statement, in part: “I sincerely apologize to the deaf and hard of hearing community, and to all Manitobans for my comments,” states Fontaine. “Yesterday, during a private debrief with my staff, I was reflecting on my public speaking performance and remarked I had been distracted by the interpreter’s hand movements. I was expressing frustration on my own poor planning to ensure clear sight lines at the event.” “My comments did not acknowledge signing is not simply “hand movements”, but a full and rich language used by thousands of Manitoban(s) every day.” She says she spoke with LaVallee to apologize and receive feedback on how to improve the experience of deaf and hard of hearing Manitobans at events. Fontaine continues, “As the Minister responsible for Accessibility I understand that ASL interpretation is integral to our public events, and we must continue to build understanding and respect for sign language and Manitobans who rely on it.” In May, Manitoba’s NDP government provided funding to the modernized ASL-English Interpretation Advanced Diploma Program at the Red River College Polytechnic to the tune of $225,000 for renovation and equipment costs, in addition to $190,000 in annual funding to support the program’s operations. The use of ASL-English interpreters is part of Manitoba Government’s Public Service Commission Policy on Sign Language, where employees are responsible to “incorporate sign language interpreting services and other accessibility features as part of public engagements and communication.” Continue Reading