NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF KOREA Submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – July 2022 Article 21 Freedom of Expression and Opinion and Access to Information 22-1 Braille Act and Korean Sign Language Act □ Current status and problems ㅇ The Braille Act was enforced on May 30, 2017, but it is not effective as persons with visual disabilities rarely encounter braille in their daily lives such as in home appliances, daily supplies, and medicines. ㅇ With the enforcement of the Korean Sign Language Act(August 3, 2016), the government has established the 1st Korean Sign Language Development Masterplan(2018-2022), and sign language interpretation has become mandatory for public events including government policy briefings(December 2020). ㅇ However, as the sign language policy is entrusted to one ministry(Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), it is difficult to effectively respond to problems arising from education and employment. In addition, as the operation of the sign language interpretation center is by the local rehabilitation facility for persons with disabilities pursuant to Article 51 (1) 2 of the Act on Welfare of Persons with disabilities, sign language policy and sign language interpretation policy is separated. □ Recommendations ㅇ The National Braille development plan and the annual implementation plan should include detailed measures to enhance the environment of braille use including home appliances, daily supplies and medicine, and measures to enhance the effectiveness of the Braille Act should be prepared, starting with public institutions and daily essential life. ㅇ In order to link policies for sign language and support for sign language interpretation, measures for linkage among government ministries and policies should be devised, and supportive measures should be prepared to provide expanded sign language interpretation in the daily life of persons with hearing disabilities. 38