Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi under the aegis of DEPwD (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India will be celebrating Sign Language Day-2023 on 23rd September 2023 at Bhim Hall, Dr.Ambedkar International Centre Janpath, New Delhi.

Ever since the United Nations declared 23^rd  September as the International Day of Sign Languages, the ISLRTC celebrates it every year on 23rd September. DEPwD and ISLRTC are making all the possible efforts to bring more citizens, stakeholders, service-providing agencies, Deaf schools, NGOs, activists, Deaf leaders, educators, researchers etc. together into the fold of Sign Language Day in order to create positive awareness about Indian Sign Language among all sections of our society. The Day also reminds us of the need and importance of preserving sign languages as a part of linguistic and cultural diversity. All theprofessionals, parents of Deaf, Deaf students and institutions working in the field of Indian Sign Language from all walks of life are important target groups to rope into the Sign Language Day celebration.

The theme of this year Sign Language Day-2023 is “A World Where Deaf People Everywhere Can Sign Anywhere!”A world where deaf people are seen as a part of the natural range of human diversity, and national sign languages are celebrated and used everywhere as part of national societies. On this day, collective efforts of deaf communities, governments, and civil society representatives are made to ensure their children and youth know their national sign languages, as a step towards building societies in which deaf people everywhere can sign anywhere.

Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Km. Pratima Bhoumik will be the Chief Guest and Sh. Rajesh Aggrawal, Secretary; DEPwD will be the Guest of Honour. Rajesh Yadav, Joint Secretary, DEPwD and Sh. Mrityunjay Jha, Director, DEPwD &ISLRTC, and Representatives from National Association of Deaf, All India Federation of Deaf, and All India Federation of Deaf for Women will also grace the occasion.

During the programme, the following programs and materials will be launched:

Launch of Basic Communication Skills in Indian Sign Language an online self learning course. The primary aim of this course is to foster basic communication skills in Indian Sign Language. It is tailor-made for parents of deaf children, siblings, educators, and individuals interested in acquiring basic knowledge of Indian Sign Language (ISL).The course comprises 10 modules, covering 30 essential topics, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of basic ISL communication.

Launch of 267 signs of financial terms in Indian Sign Language which are jointly developed by ISLRTC, SOCIETE GENERALE and V-Shesh. The sign for financial terms are developed to facilitate communication between deaf and hearing people working in the financial and banking sector. The project will help improve the employment prospects of deaf job-seeking youth.

Launch of about 10,000 ISL dictionary terms on website, launch of ISL course in Special Schools for hearing impaired launch of Video Relay Service for the deaf community through whatsapp video call. Video Relay Service is a video telecommunication service which enables deaf people to communicate with hearing people vide a remote sign language interpreter linked through video communication. The service can be broadly used in hospitals, government offices, educational institutions, bank, work place, interviews, police station and court etc. The service is provided at free of cost through whatsapp no. 8929667579.

The Centre conducted 6th Indian Sign Language Competition, 2023 – a national-level competition held for students with hearing disabilities. The students have showcased their creativity and knowledge by participating in the competition. All the winners of the 6th ISL competition will be distributed trophy and certificate during the Sign Language Day 2023 programme.

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MG/P/VL/SD

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