The Hindu : New Delhi News : "Give official recognition to Indian Sign Language"

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Sunday, Dec 03, 2006
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"Give official recognition to Indian Sign Language"

Staff Reporter

National Association of the Deaf to press demand The Association to organise a solidarity march on World Disability Day today

NEW DELHI: To press their demand for recognition of Indian Sign Language (ISL) as a scheduled language of the country, the National Association of the Deaf will organise a solidarity march on World Disability Day this Sunday.

A large number of hearing-impaired people from across the country are expected to take part in the march from India Gate to Vijay Chowk to demand recognition for ISL as an official language recognised under the Constitution.

"Deaf persons are constantly being stigmatised and discriminated against by the authorities and the public at large. There is a complete lack of awareness of ISL, as even teachers for the hearing-impaired do not know this language. Also, there is no provision for ISL interpreters in Government offices, hospitals, courts and other public places," said the Association's president Arun Rao.

Marginalisation

"This lack of effective communication has a very great impact on the ability of the hearing-impaired to participate in mainstream society and, therefore, keeps them marginalised," he said.

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