Recognise sign communication as scheduled language: deaf body

From: Monsters and Critics.com - Glasgow,UK - Dec 2, 2006

New Delhi, Dec 2 (IANS) On the eve of World Disability Day, a deaf body Saturday demanded that sign communication should be recognised as one of the scheduled languages so that it can be taught in schools.

'India is home to over five million deaf people but unfortunately the government never bothers about giving them proper education. No normal school is equipped to handle such kids,' said Arun C. Roy, chief of the National Association of the Deaf.

'We demand that sign language which is universally understood by the deaf community should be made a part of the constitution. This will force both and central and state governments to make it a part of the course curriculum,' Roy said.

He said the Ramakrishna Mission has developed a couple books on sign language and schools must take some pain in training their teachers on the subject.

'This will certainly help millions of deaf people who can understand this language.'

Over 3,000 deaf people are participating in a rally Sunday at the India Gate to make their voice heard.

© 2006 Indo-Asian News Service