SVT Örebro has previously reported that municipal adults in Örebro adopted a new policy in the hope of reducing the high costs for sign language interpreters.
It was an interpretation of the Upper Secondary School Ordinance where it is established that sign language interpreters do not need to be offered if the number of applicants is less than four.
- The costs ranged from 500,000 to one million kronor per student and education, it would be less if there were more students in an education, so it does not last long, says Jessica Ekerbring (S), chair of the adult education and labor market committee.
During the autumn term 2020, eleven people were denied education in municipal adult education.
Three reports were made to the Discrimination Ombudsman and one appealed to the Swedish Schools Appeals Board.
Both authorities have initiated investigations against the municipality.
Following SVT Örebro's review, the policy has now been removed.
- It is clear that cases are handled faster when the media picks it up, says Jessica Ekerbring.
Reviewing the self-proclaimed title "Europe's Sign Language Capital"
Örebro is a city where deaf and hard of hearing people from all over Sweden move to as there is, among other things, a National High School for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The municipality of Örebro has also named itself "Europe's sign language capital", something which, after our review, will be reviewed.
- We will review the agreement to clarify what expectations one can have, she says.
At present, the DO's supervision of the municipality and the municipality's internal investigation of the cost of sign language interpreters remain, where it is hoped to have municipally employed interpreters that municipal adults could use.
- It would mean a smaller cost for us, says Jessica Ekerbring.
In the clip above, Jessica Ekerbring tells more about how to reduce costs after the removed "deaf policy".