Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Education
  • Petition urges government to make Indian sign language compulsory learning in schools & colleges

Petition urges government to make Indian sign language compulsory learning in schools & colleges

Education August 8, 2019
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
0

A petition seeking to make Indian sign language compulsory in all schools and colleges has been moved by Sangeeta Gala, a prominent deaf activist and sign language consultant for Bollywood films. The petition details the ways in which sign language can be made a part of the curriculum and urges the community to push the government to include this while framing the National Education Policy.

Of the estimated 20 lakh deaf children in India, only 12 lakh attend basic schooling, the rest are drop outs or have no access to education. Those who do attend deaf schools don’t have access to quality education or are denied access to sign language, restricting development.

The only way to change this and enable an equal platform for deaf and hard of hearing students is to make Indian sign language compulsory in all schools and colleges, believes deaf activist Sangeeta Gala.

In a petition titled National Education Policy 2019 – Indian Sign Language – ISL to be Included in all Hearing-Deaf Schools and Hearing Colleges, Sangeeta has asked the Deaf community to urge the government to push for sign language inclusion in all academic curriculum.

This, says Sangeeta, is essential as language deprivation or delays between ages 0-5 years is the main cause of many deaf children’s eventual reading, academic, and social struggles. By the age of five, when a child’s brain is 90% developed, most deaf children enter kindergarten without language, leading to what she describes as an “epidemic of language deprivation in deaf children.”

What the petition says

The petition recommends ways in which this inclusion can happen:

  • Provide families with Indian Sign Language services through DEIC (District Early Intervention Centres), in the same way that families receive speech, physical, and occupational therapies.
  • Employ professionally qualified Deaf specialists to provide ISL services as a part of intervention services for families and their children
  • Involve trained Deaf specialists in early childhood education of all Deaf babies and toddlers ages 0–5 years through a formal state structured Deaf Mentor Program.
  • Develop a nationwide structure for a Deaf mentor program to enable provision of quick, early, and appropriate role models and services to Deaf children and their families.
  • This will include establishing a formal certificate programs to train Deaf adults to become
    Deaf Mentors and Family Services professionals to assist with home-based bilingual instruction and cultural information about ISL-Deaf people.

I urge the Deaf community to fill the online form and state that Indian sign language be considered as one of the languages in schools. It is the first time that the Government of India has asked the public for their opinion. Indian Sign language must be one of the subjects in school and universities. It is our chance to persuade the government and change the Indian education system to make sure that Indian sign language is a part of all schools.- Sangeeta Gala, Deaf activist

The petition has many other important details and you can read it here.

Including sign language in academic curriculum, says Ruma Roka, Founder, Noida Deaf Society would help end the isolation faced by deaf and hard of hearing children. “This would be a big step if it happens. Today deaf people are cut off due to language and ISL is even regarded as a bad word”. She points to the attitude within deaf schools to make the point. “Even at deaf schools you barely hear sign language because the focus is always on speech. Including this in the curriculum will mean recognition as a linguistic minority”.

Vidya Menon, a Deaf teacher at impact enterprise v-shesh believes this will pave the way for more inclusion in classrooms. “It’s a good exposure for everyone to know about ISL and if it’s in the curriculum in all schools then students will learn it like Hindi and other languages. This will be good for the deaf community where they can have access to communication and learning and be a part of inclusive classrooms”.

Vidya believes this will also pave the way for larger inclusion. “The hearing community will gain more awareness about deaf people and and there may be more interpreters for deaf people, so I hope the government will approve this”.

“Why learn English, French, Spanish, etc., when we bump into a deaf person at every mall”, asks Ruma. “This is more relevant and and a big step towards diversity and an inclusive society. I hope it comes through”.

Do sign the petition soon. The last date is 15 August and to find out how to sign,
click on this link

Watch in Sign Language

0

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Read more on Newz Hook

  • Get-hooked
    Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later
  • Get-hooked,Headlines
    Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today
  • Get-hooked
    Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day
  • Technology
    Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Contribue to Newz Hook. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature your inspiring story or share an event with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Related News

Matthew Walzer is wearing a blue shirt

Get-hooked

Matthew Walzer’s letter continues to make an impact nearly 10 years later

Christine Ha has covered her eyes and the words how you see me are on the back of her hand

Get-hooked

Blind MasterChef winner Christine Ha is the face of month-long campaign this International Women’s Day

Invite to the telecast & webstreaming of the 2021 CavinKare Ability Awards at 7pm today.

Get-hooked

Celebrate Achievers with Disabilities with us today

Images of the 5 apps featured in article

Technology

Check out these free apps that help develop fine motor skills in children with cerebral palsy

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

"Know your inner strengths & work on them" - My Take by Afzal Yusuff, Music Director

Get-hooked

Kerala government campaign on importance of mental health has a strong message for parents

Get-hooked

#WonderWoman - Ketna Mehta is giving people with disabilities wings to fly

Parasports

Triple amputee & fitness trainer Tinkesh Kaushik is dedicated to helping people stay healthy

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook is a media site focusing on Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight stories that share insights into the lives of people with disabilities, offer solutions and create collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who share knowledge about disability, inclusion & accessibility.

Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.