Promoting Inclusivity: Translating Audited Public Reports and Providing Training for the D

This initiative is rooted in the belief that everyone has the right to access public information, especially when it comes to the government’s financial accountability. Audited public reports are crucial for ensuring transparency in the allocation and spending of public resources. They allow citizens to hold the government accountable for how taxpayer money is used. But for the deaf community, these vital reports are often inaccessible due to the absence of sign language translations.

As a Deaf Auditor working within Tanzania's Supreme Office, I’ve seen the barriers firsthand. Deaf citizens are often left in the dark, unable to fully engage with government audits, and thus, unable to actively participate in holding their government accountable.

To address this, I am leading the charge for:

a) Translation of Audited Public Reports into Sign Language: This will make these crucial reports accessible to deaf citizens, giving them the tools, they need to understand government spending and financial management.

b) Comprehensive Training Programs: These programs will help deaf individuals better understand complex audit findings, government performance metrics, and the significance of public finance reports.

c) Collaboration with Government Institutions: By working closely with government bodies, we will raise awareness about the importance of inclusive communication and push for the legal requirement that all public information be accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities.

This initiative is grounded in inclusivity and accessibility values that are supported by Tanzanian laws and international frameworks:

a) The Constitution of Tanzania, which guarantees citizens the right to access information and to be treated equally, regardless of their abilities.

b) The Disability Act of 2010, which mandates that all public information, including audit reports, be accessible to people with disabilities, including the deaf.

c) The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), a convention that Tanzania is committed to, which ensures individuals with disabilities can access information on an equal basis with others.

Our Vision

The long-term goal of this initiative is to make Tanzania’s public financial reports not only accessible to the deaf community but also to set an example for other institutions both public and private that prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility is both a legal obligation and a moral imperative.

We hope that by demonstrating the power of inclusive practices, we will inspire other organizations across Tanzania to follow suit. Together, we can create a culture of inclusion where public and private entities proactively ensure that all individuals, regardless of ability, have equal access to information.

Our vision is to build a Tanzania where every citizen, regardless of whether they are hearing or deaf, can actively participate in democratic processes, engage with public finances, and contribute to the nation’s growth. This is not just about making reports accessible it’s about building a future where every voice is heard and valued.