Translated from Portuguese. The Portuguese version prevails. Ler em português
The Association of Sign Language Interpreters (AIGIS) was received in audience on Thursday, 18 February 2026, by the President of the Constitutional Court of Angola, Justice Laurinda Prazeres.
At the meeting, José Kitekulo, President of AIGIS, expressed interest in strengthening and deepening relations of cooperation and institutional exchange with the Court, with the central aim of promoting inclusion and guaranteeing the rights of persons with hearing impairments.
According to him, the lack of sign language interpreters can directly interfere with citizens' exercise of their fundamental rights. Situations such as the absence of interpretation when a police officer stops a person with a hearing impairment, when a deaf pregnant woman uses health services, or when citizens need to be served at notaries' offices, courts, registry offices and bank branches reveal barriers that limit full access to public and private services.
“Sign language is of vital importance, as it significantly reduces the barriers that persist in the lives of persons with hearing impairments,” stressed José Kitekulo.
AIGIS is based in Luanda and was established on the basis of the legislation on accessibility, with the purpose of promoting social inclusion and guaranteeing equitable access to communication for persons with hearing impairments.