The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) has recently entered into a partnership with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). This collaboration aims to make NCERT textbooks accessible in sign language for hearing-impaired students.
Memorandum of Understanding Details
With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the NCERT’s educational materials, including textbooks and teachers’ guides for classes I-XII in both Hindi and English, will be digitally converted into Indian Sign Language (ISL). The move is aimed at meeting the requirements of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPWD) Act, 2016 and the New Education Policy, 2020. This initiative draws inspiration from the United Nations Children’s Fund – UNICEF’s program “Accessible Digital Textbooks for All.”
Impact on Hearing Impaired Students
Previously, hearing-impaired children were limited to verbal or written mediums of instruction. However, with this initiative, they can now access academic materials in ISL, which remains consistent across India. Providing educational content tailored to their learning needs during their developmental years can greatly enhance their vocabulary and cognitive skills.
Significance Of Indian Sign Language
Indian Sign Language involves facial and hand gestures to communicate. It possesses its own grammar, syntax, and even regional ‘dialects’ denoting different signs for the same word or emotion, making it unique from spoken languages. Across the globe, countries such as the USA have recognized sign language as an official language, given its visual form and wide usage among the hearing and speech impaired.
Hearing Impairment Prevalence In India
According to the World Health Organization’s 2018 data, approximately 6.3% of Indians suffer from significant auditory loss. Adult-onset deafness accounts for 7.6% of this number, while childhood-onset deafness constitutes 2%. A considerable population also struggles with milder degrees of hearing loss and unilateral hearing loss. Around 50% of these cases are preventable, provided there is a robust primary healthcare approach for ear care globally.
National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness
The National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness (NPPCD) was initiated in India in 2006 to combat the high rates of deafness, a largely preventable disability. The funding ratios of this initiative are 60:40 for all states barring the North Eastern and Himalayan states, where the ratio is 90:10. For Union Territories, central funding covers 100% of expenses, except for UTs with a legislature, where the ratio is 60:40.
Achievements and Objectives of NPPCD
The NPPCD aims to prevent avoidable hearing loss due to disease or injury, identify and treat ear problems, rehabilitate individuals suffering from deafness, and strengthen institutional capacity in ear care services. It has also introduced other initiatives like incorporating sign language and written text subtitles into news and educational videos.
Benefits of RPWD Act, 2016 and NEP, 2020
The RPWD Act, 2016 and the New Education Policy, 2020 enhance accessibility to education for all, including differently-abled individuals. The plan is to achieve 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio in school education by 2030.
About ISLRTC And NCERT
The ISLRTC, established in 2015, is an autonomous national institute under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Its main responsibility is to develop manpower for the popularization, teaching, and research in Indian Sign Language.
On the other hand, NCERT is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Education committed to improving school education quality by conducting research, preparing model textbooks, developing innovative educational techniques, and acting as a nodal agency for achieving Universalization of Elementary Education.
Last Modified: February 9, 2024