On Monday, news wrote about completely deaf Edvin (1) and his family in Nordkjosbotn in Balsfjord. To learn his son’s language – sign language – the whole family must travel to Trondheim four times a year until Edvin turns 16. Balsfjord municipality initially refused to cover all the travel costs. “Ultimately, we have to move from Balsfjord,” said father Tor Sverre Iselvmo to news before the matter was dealt with by the municipal council. Norwegian Sign Language A full-fledged language that is articulated with the help of hand gestures, facial expressions and body postures and is perceived through sight. Norwegian Sign Language is a minority language with official status in Norway. Considered the mother tongue of most deaf people in the country, who also have it as a compulsory subject in primary school. Hearing children with deaf parents can also have Norwegian sign language as their first language. Each country has its own sign language. Source: Store norske lexikon Now the municipality has turned around. When a family wants to learn sign language, Statped covers board and lodging, and Nav covers lost earnings. The municipalities must cover travel expenses. But they are not required by law to do so. Balsfjord municipality initially said no to cover more than NOK 15,000 this year and the same amount for next year for the family of four. Iselvmo’s own calculation was that they would also have to pay NOK 55,000 each year out of their own pocket for the next 15 years. The parents have realized that Edvin can have a completely normal life, as long as he learns a language. Photo: Malin Straumsnes / news Gets 55,000 more a year The matter was dealt with in the municipal council on Monday afternoon. It was unanimously decided that the municipality will cover expenses of up to NOK 70,000 annually for the family until Edvin turns 16. Father Tor Sverre Iselvmo is relieved that the municipality has changed its mind. – It feels very good that the politicians have come to their senses, he says to news right after the decision has been made. Father Tor Sverre Iselvmo is relieved that the municipality has changed its mind. Photo: Malin Straumsnes / news – This really means everything to us as a family. We know that we can afford to travel to these gatherings, and don’t have to worry about finances. – Does that mean that you are not going to move from Balsfjord? – That makes it easier, but it also depends on whether the nursery hires someone in a sign language teaching position. It is now announced. – Must be able to communicate The reason why the municipality initially refused to cover the family’s expenses is a pressured financial situation. Nor do they want to set a precedent for other non-statutory expenses. – This is a national challenge that national authorities must solve, and not pass the bill on to the municipalities. There will be a lot of discrimination depending on where you live in the country, and I think that is unfortunate. Councilor Øyvind Korsberg told news before the municipal council meeting on Monday. Councilor Øyvind Korsberg believes that national authorities should cover travel expenses for families like Edvin’s. Photo: Aurora Ytreberg Meløe / news The Ministry of Education informs that there is a proposal to look at the scheme that requires you to apply to the municipality to cover travel expenses for sign language training. – Does not exempt the municipality The proposal was put forward by the Conservative Party and the Labor Party. Fridtjof Winther from Høyre is happy that they got the go-ahead to give Edvin’s family more support for the travels. – It is natural that a family should be able to communicate with each other. A child must be able to communicate with parents, and parents to communicate with their children. Fridtjof Winther in Balsfjord Høyre is happy that the municipality will now pay for the family’s trips. Photo: Malin Straumsnes / news Winther agrees with Korsberg that there may be a weakness in the national system. – But that does not exempt the municipality from rectifying this. – I hope we will be the last, Pappa Iselvmo says that they have received messages of support from all over the country after news mentioned the case on Monday. He is happy about that. – When you have a deaf child, you already have it tough enough, if you don’t also have to fight against a system. Edvin turned one earlier this year, just a few months after the family learned that he is completely deaf. Photo: Malin Straumsnes / news Now he wants to work further to ensure that it is required by law that families in the same situation as his be covered for travel expenses. – We are hardly the first family to experience this, but I hope we will be the last. Published 24.06.2024, at 19.53
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– Means everything to us as a family – news Troms and Finnmark
