A growing shortage of qualified sign language interpreters is emerging as one of the most pressing accessibility challenges facing Malta's Deaf community.

In an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday, Annabelle Xerri, chairperson of the Maltese Sign Language Council, highlighted how this gap can create real barriers to information and equal participation in daily life, despite the dedication of interpreters already working in the field.

Demand for Maltese Sign Language (LSM) services has outpaced the number of available interpreters, Xerri explained. This creates real barriers to accessing information and services, despite high professional standards. Expanding training and workforce capacity is a top priority.

"Our existing professional sign language interpreters do their absolute utmost and work tirelessly, but the sheer volume of requests can sometimes create barriers," Xerri said.

The new Diploma in Applied Linguistics for LSM at the University of Malta creates a pathway for trained professionals. This responds to growing demand for interpreters and educators. The diploma is positioned as a way to train educators and a solution to growing demand for LSM teaching.

The Maltese Sign Language Council is the main regulatory and advisory body for LSM. It ensures accessibility for deaf individuals across healthcare, justice, employment, media, and public life. It oversees standards, interpreter accreditation, and ethical practice. A long-term goal is to mainstream LSM as part of Malta's cultural identity, not just a support service.

Official recognition of LSM in 2016 marked a shift from optional support to a legal right. It established the foundation for equal access to information and services for deaf citizens.

"By establishing this system, we are ensuring that when a deaf person goes to a job interview, a court hearing, or a doctor's appointment, they are guaranteed a professional, ethical, and qualified interpreter," Xerri said.

The Sign Language Interpreters Act (2025) introduced a formal warranting system for interpreters. This guarantees deaf individuals access to qualified, ethical professionals in critical settings like courts and hospitals. The law was developed in collaboration with the interpreters' association.

LSM now has greater visibility in media and public events. However, public understanding still lags behind awareness, Xerri said. There is ongoing work to ensure LSM is recognised as a fully independent language with its own grammar.

While many deaf youths are proud of their identity, some still feel hesitant to use LSM due to social pressures, Xerri said. The council aims to normalise everyday use, making LSM as common as spoken Maltese or English. The council's ultimate goal is a Malta where sign language is not seen as exceptional, but simply part of everyday communication.

"Our goal is for LSM to be integrated so seamlessly that it is treated with the same urgency as any other official communication," Xerri said.

LSM is a living, non-written language, making preservation urgent. The council partnered with the National Archives on the Memorja project to document the history of the deaf community and the evolution of LSM. This work ensures the language is treated as a permanent part of Malta's cultural heritage, not a temporary service.

The project highlights the role of older generations who kept LSM alive during periods of suppression. Their contribution is framed as foundational to LSM's official recognition today.

LSM visibility has improved in national media and major cultural events, such as Malta Song for Europe and Mużika Mużika. However, daily integration remains inconsistent, especially in education, healthcare, and government services.

Unfortunately, accessibility is often reactive rather than automatic, Xerri said. The council argues that accessibility should be a default protocol across all public services. Xerri said that deaf individuals should not have to request or fight for access. The goal is full integration where LSM is treated with the same urgency as any official communication. The push now is to move from visibility to true integration - where access to sign language is automatic, not optional.

A key priority is ensuring deaf individuals never feel they are receiving a "favour" when accessing services. Instead, access should be seen as the full exercise of linguistic rights, according to Xerri.

Some parents and professionals still believe LSM may hinder spoken language development. The council strongly rejects this, warning that lack of early LSM access for deaf children can lead to language deprivation. This can negatively affect cognitive development and future learning.

"This does not only affect their social participation; it makes cognitive development more difficult and can actually hinder their ability to learn other languages later in life," Xerri said.

Bilingualism consisting of sign and spoken language is thus framed as a key developmental advantage. The council continues to place emphasis on supporting parents to choose such a bilingual path. LSM is framed as a complementary strength, not a barrier to spoken language development.

Public awareness is described by Xerri as the "bridge to inclusion". She said the focus needs to shift from sympathy toward recognising and respecting deaf culture as a distinct linguistic identity. Greater understanding helps reduce stigma, encourage pride among deaf youth, and position the deaf community as an active part of national culture.

"LSM is a rich, cultural heritage," Xerri said.

The council supports introducing LSM as a subject in schools. This would enable hearing students to communicate with deaf peers and break down barriers early.

The council is also exploring and considering advocating for a proposal to group deaf students in designated mainstream schools across Malta and Gozo. Benefits of this proposal include stronger peer community and identity, more efficient use of specialised teachers and interpreters, and reduced time lost to staff travel.

The issue with the current support system is that the frequent turnover of Learning Support Educators (LSEs) disrupts student progress. Moreover, new staff often lack experience in deaf education, forcing students to readjust.

The council stressed that deaf people must be directly involved in shaping policy. Therefore, they are in close collaboration with the Deaf People Association Malta and the Deaf Youth Association. These partnerships ensure policies reflect real lived experience and support future deaf leadership.

Moreover, collaboration with the Association of Maltese Sign Language Interpreters was key to the Sign Language Interpreters Act (2025), as well as establishing Malta's official interpreter register and warrant system. These partnerships strengthen both local implementation and international standards.

Every deaf child in Malta and Gozo should grow up with pride in their language and identity, and be assured that all societal opportunities are fully accessible, Xerri said. The overarching goal is true inclusion through equal status, not symbolic recognition.