Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

A special teacher for special children

J .R. Shridharan

G. Vasantha Kumari

VIJAYAWADA : Though hundreds of hearing-and-speech-impaired children gathered to listen to the speeches of the city's elite at the World Disabled Day celebrations recently, their eyes were riveted on one person on the stage. She was Yerragopu Vasantha Kumari, the translator of speeches into sign language.

With rapt attention, the children followed the body language of the teacher, who used figure spelling, writing in the air and facial expressions to perfection to drive home the essence of the speeches.

Says Vasantha Kumari, who teaches at Annamma School for Deaf and Dumb at Ibrahimpatnam: "There are two types of sign languages - Indian and American. But the best suited language is the Indian sign language, which allows these children to communicate with others easily." "Ms. Kumari says there are two other schools functioning in Krishna District (apart from the school where she teaches) - Madonna School for hearing impaired (Vijayawada) and Vani Educational Society (Jagayyapet).

"I have been teaching sign language for the past 15 years. So many of my students are occupying good position in several Government offices and banks," she says. Turning nostalgic, she says one of her students Karunakar, who joined as a Class IV employee in the irrigation department at Nuzivid was promoted as a Lower Division Clerk. "It was a moment to cherish as he completed his graduation with determination to achieve the promotion," Mrs. Kumari recalls .

Training schools

The affable teacher says there are many recognised training schools in the State imparting new techniques to trainee teachers.

"Experts in speech pathology, audiology and other specialised areas in speech mechanism impart training to the teachers during the two-year course," she adds. Ms. Kumari feels computer education suits these children best as more emphasis is laid on hand-eye coordination.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Board advises colleges to start special counselling classes
Cell phones set alarm bells ringing
A special teacher for special children
Fare of the nawabs
LIC employees oppose move to increase property tax
Click!
Around the City
In Vijayawada Today

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu