Twenty-four employees from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT) in Costa Rica have completed training in Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO). The program was made possible through an agreement with the National Learning Institute (INA).
The training lasted several months and aimed to improve institutional inclusion by providing staff with tools to better serve deaf individuals. Among those who graduated are traffic officers from different regional units.
Carlos Ávila, Deputy Minister of Transport, stated, “This graduation reflects the institution’s desire to provide the best for users. It is a matter of inclusion towards society. This action goes in that direction. The commitment of our Traffic Police colleagues and administrative staff is highly commendable.”
Institutional efforts to expand inclusion will continue, as plans are underway to sign another collaboration agreement so more employees can learn this form of communication.
Martín Sánchez, director of the Traffic Police, said, “This is very important for our Traffic Police; an inclusive police force. We continue along this path both with INA and UCR to keep training more officers in this area.”
The course instructor was Cristian Ramírez, who expressed his happiness—through sign language—for MOPT employees learning to communicate with deaf people using LESCO. His message was interpreted by Ericka Alvarado, an MOPT employee who also graduated from the program.
According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), there are over 70,000 deaf people in Costa Rica and nearly 100,000 individuals with some type of hearing disability.
