The Sign Language People Organization (SLaPO) is a non-profit, non-governmental, community-based organization founded in 2019 in Makeni City, Sierra Leone, with a commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, empowerment, inclusion, and development of Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. SLaPO works to address communication, educational, social, economic, and institutional barriers affecting Deaf individuals and communities across Sierra Leone.
The organization promotes Sierra Leone Sign Language (SLSL) as a fundamental tool for communication, education, participation, cultural expression, and empowerment. SLaPO recognizes that meaningful inclusion requires more than providing services to Deaf individuals. It requires ensuring that Deaf people themselves have genuine opportunities to lead, participate, influence policies, make decisions, and shape the programs designed to affect their lives.
SLaPO therefore promotes Deaf leadership while recognizing the important contribution of qualified hearing individuals, professionals, allies, and partners who support its mission.
The organization works through advocacy, sign language promotion, education, vocational and entrepreneurial training, leadership development, community engagement, accessibility initiatives, partnerships, research, and public awareness.
SLaPO seeks to contribute to a Sierra Leone in which Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can participate fully and equally in education, employment, healthcare, justice, governance, economic development, culture, and community life