The Jamaica Debates Commission (JDC) has confirmed that there will be a sign language interpreter for this evening’s staging of the political debates.

The first of the three debates, which was held on Saturday, was televised and broadcast without an interpreter.

At the commencement of the event the moderator issued an apology noting that the absence had been beyond the JDC’s control.

On Sunday, the JDC said since May it has been engaging with the deaf and hearing-impaired community through various bodies to secure interpreter services.

It said this effort continued up to less than 4 hours before Saturday’s debate without success.

The situation prompted public discussions and concerns were raised about the exclusion of the deaf community from national events.

Speaking with Irie F M News this morning, JDC Chairman Brian Schmidt said an interpreter has been confirmed for the economy debate, set to begin at 9:00 p.m.

The Jamaica Labour Party’s Fayval Williams, Dr. Christopher Tufton and Dr. Dana Morris-Dixon will go up against the People’s National Party’s Julian Robinson, Peter Bunting and Kisha Anderson.

Mr. Schmidt stressed that the JDC has always supported the deaf community and will continue to do so to the best of its ability.