The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi, celebrated ‘Sign Language Day’ with the theme “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!” under the auspices of DEPwD (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The event took place at Bhim Hall, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi.
The International Day of Sign Languages, declared by the United Nations on 23rd September, was marked by ISLRTC to raise awareness about Indian Sign Language. The event brought together citizens, stakeholders, service providers, Deaf schools, NGOs, activists, Deaf leaders, educators, and researchers to promote positive awareness about sign language in Indian society.
Km Pratima Bhoumik, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, was the Chief Guest, and Shri Rajesh Aggrawal, Secretary of DEPwD, was the Guest of Honour. Shri Rajesh Yadav, Joint Secretary, DEPwD, and Shri Mrityunjay Jha, Director, DEPwD & ISLRTC, along with representatives from National Association of Deaf, All India Federation of Deaf, and All India Federation of Deaf for Women, also graced the occasion.
Minister Km Pratima Bhoumik suggested starting ‘Mann Ki Baat’ in Indian Sign Language and highlighted the government’s efforts to promote job employment for youth with disabilities. Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal shared DEPwD’s initiatives to employ persons with disabilities and the plan to provide tablets to deaf students for accessing educational videos in sign language.
Joint Secretary Rajesh Yadav welcomed attendees and emphasized ISLRTC’s initiative to create a platform for seamless communication between the Deaf and hearing communities. ISLRTC will also work on translating NCERT textbooks for class VII and onwards into sign language.
The event saw appreciative remarks from Shri Sunil Sahasrabudhe, President of All India Federation of Deaf, and Smt. Uma Kapoor, President of All India Federation of Deaf Women, who encouraged parents to learn online self-learning ISL courses to communicate with their deaf children.
Shri A.S. Narayan, President of National Association of Deaf, noted the government’s recognition of Sign Language Day by displaying blue lights at central locations like India Gate.
Several significant launches occurred during the event, including:
- The launch of an online self-learning course, “Basic Communication Skills in Indian Sign Language,” tailored for parents of deaf children, siblings, educators, and those interested in acquiring basic knowledge of ISL.
- The launch of 260 signs of financial terms in Indian Sign Language, developed to facilitate communication in the financial and banking sector.
- The release of 10,000 ISL dictionary terms on the website.
- The launch of the ISL course in special schools for the hearing impaired.
- The introduction of Video Relay Service for the deaf community through WhatsApp video calls, allowing communication with hearing individuals via remote sign language interpreters.