Italian Sign Language Officially Recognized by the State
The Italian Republic acknowledges, advances, and safeguards Italian Sign Language (LIS) and Italian Tactile Sign Language (LIST).
Through Decree-Law No. 41 of March 22, 2021, subsequently converted into Law No. 69 of May 21, 2021, regarding "Emergency measures supporting businesses and economic operators, employment, health and territorial services, connected to the COVID-19 emergency," published in the Official Gazette No. 120 of May 21, 2021.
Article 34-ter
Provisions for the acknowledgment of Italian Sign Language and social inclusion of individuals with hearing disabilities
1. In implementation of Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution and Articles 21 and 26 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as in accordance with Articles 9, 21 and 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, executed in New York on December 13, 2006 and ratified pursuant to Law No. 18 of March 3, 2009, the Republic acknowledges, advances, and safeguards Italian Sign Language (LIS) and Italian Tactile Sign Language (LIST).
2. The Republic acknowledges the roles of LIS interpreter and LIST interpreter as specialized professionals in the translation and interpretation of LIS and LIST respectively, and in ensuring linguistic-communicative interaction between subjects who do not share knowledge thereof, through translation in codified visual-gestural modality of expressions used in verbal language or in other sign languages and tactile sign languages.
3. Public administrations as defined in Article 1, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree No. 165 of March 31, 2001, promote experimental projects for the dissemination of interpretation services in LIS and LIST and subtitling.
4. To foster social inclusion of persons with hearing disabilities, the Office of the Prime Minister promotes communication campaigns.
5. The expenses arising from the implementation of this article shall be covered using resources from the Fund referred to in Article 1, paragraph 456, of Law No. 145 of December 30, 2018, which, for the year 2021, is increased by 4 million euros.
Legal References
Constitutional Articles
Article 2: The Republic acknowledges and guarantees the inviolable rights of the person, both as an individual and in the social formations where human personality develops, and requires the fulfillment of imperative duties of political, economic and social solidarity.
Article 3: All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinions, personal and social conditions. It is the task of the Republic to remove economic and social obstacles that, by actually limiting the freedom and equality of citizens, prevent the full development of the human person and the effective participation of all workers in the political, economic and social organization of the country.
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
Article 21 (Non-discrimination): Any discrimination based on any ground such as sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation shall be prohibited.
Article 26 (Integration of persons with disabilities): The Union recognizes and respects the right of persons with disabilities to benefit from measures designed to ensure their independence, social and occupational integration and participation in the life of the community.
Additional Information
For complete legislative text:
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