First ever Indian Sign Language Interpreter Retreat organised by Centum GRO

Centum GRO, which is an initiative of Centum Foundation, organised the first ever Indian Sign Language Interpreter Retreat. The theme was ‘Enhancing and Strengthening Interpreting Skills in India’.

Four-day event was held from 4-7 January

The event was supported by ISLIA (Indian Signed Language Interpreters Association), ASLI (Association of Sign Language Interpreters) and Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC). This first-of-its kind initiative was sponsored by Tech Mahindra Foundation, Enable Travel and OM Metals Infraprojects Limited.

The aim of the retreat was to highlight the improvements needed in the field of Interpreting for the deaf, while the workshop focused on the Ethics and Etiquettes of Sign Language Interpreting, Sign Language Structure, Interpreter Settings and Professionalisation of Interpreting.

The retreat was facilitated by two American experts who shared their expertise in the field of Sign Language Interpreting. There was also a panel discussion where deaf Indian leaders shared their experiences working with sign language interpreters.

India has approximately only 250 qualified Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpreters for a population of over one crore deaf and hard of hearing people. This is a large community and there is a need for quality interpreters.

Watch in Sign Language