Under the newly signed legislative acts, the expression "persons with disabilities under the age of 18" was also replaced with "children with disabilities".
The new laws signed by President Ilham Aliyev aim to further enhance the integration opportunities for persons with disabilities into society, to create broader conditions for individuals with complete hearing loss to access information on an equal basis with others, to freely express their thoughts and ideas, and to improve the relevant legislation.
Amendments to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On the Rights of Persons with Disabilities" have introduced new provisions regarding Azerbaijani Sign Language and the facilitation of access to information for persons with disabilities.
These provisions state that Azerbaijani Sign Language is the mode of communication used by Azerbaijani-speaking persons with complete hearing loss, expressing their thoughts using hands, arms, and fingers. The state guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to access information.
It is noted that during the oral use of the official language of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Sign Language is officially recognized as a means of communication for individuals with complete hearing loss.
According to the law, nationwide terrestrial television broadcasters that are funded by the state budget or hold the status of public broadcasters must ensure that their prime-time information programs are accompanied by Azerbaijani Sign Language interpretation.
Additionally, translation into Azerbaijani Sign Language must be provided by individuals with the relevant education and qualifications, and the state will promote the subtitling of audiovisual works.
The new legislative acts also replace the term "persons with disabilities under the age of 18" with "children with disabilities."
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