The State of Alarm and the right to accessible information of deaf people

Abstract

The recent health crisis of COVID-19, and the Royal Decree of declaration of the State of Alarm, through RD 463/2020, of March 14, highlighted the lack of accessibility of institutional messages broadcast on television. in sign language for deaf people who use that language. Thus, during the first four days after entry into force, said service did not exist, until pressure exerted from various public and private levels managed to redirect the situation.

Law 27/2007, of October 23, which recognizes sign language, expressly provides that during states of alarm, exception and siege, institutional messages will be accessible to deaf people. Despite being a fundamental right, such as the right to receive information through the media, the regulation of this matter is not developed from an Organic Law, which makes its guarantee and protection difficult, when establishing by Royal Decree, the declaration of the state of alarm, as well as the rights to protect as a priority.

This means that the Social and Democratic State and of Law, must deploy through articles such as 9.2 of the Constitution, the guarantee of protection of fundamental rights such as the right to information through the media, including deaf people, and for this, the regulation of the Alarm State must include this mandate within its regulation by Organic Law.