Greetings from the Association of Sign Language Interpreters!
We are a relatively new organisation working for the promotion of the profession of Sign Language Interpreting and Equal Access for the deaf community of India. Our membership is across the country and the work thought slow thus far has been heartening as many people are coming forward to serve the needs of the deaf people of our country.
The deaf people of India have had no formal accessibility norms until today and it is with regard to this that I am writing to you today.
The 11th 5 year Plan was a revolutionary document in that, unlike the previous 10 Plans, this one has an entire chapter (attached) devoted to the upliftment of the disabled people of the country. A specific mention was made of many disabilities and particular mention was made with regard to deafness.
A portion of the section reads “The interventions planned shall provide access to information in all its forms. A large number of sign language interpreters need to be developed for hearing impaired people to access health, employment and legal services.” Further “during the Eleventh Plan period a Sign Language Research and Training Centre will be established which will be devoted to the development and promotion of sign language and training of teachers and interpreters”
The deaf community needs these interventions as their basic necessities for a positive dignified life as contributors to society and empowered citizens. There is then a fundamental need to create a new job in the ‘job list’ defining a “Sign Language interpreter” Without this job being in the job list no interpreter will be recruited by the Govt to provide the access needs of the deaf community of India. If there is no career future then no persons will train to become interpreters and the cycle continues.
Sir, as you see we are approaching a crisis. The Finance Minister in his budget speech has already announced the approval of funds for the Sign Language Institute. The institute will not serve its purpose unless there are trainees and no trainees will come if there are no jobs available for them.
Sir, we would like to meet with you on this matter and try to come to an understanding of what can be done. Please do give us an appointment at your convenience where we may discuss this and other matters.
Thanking you,
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