Demands of the deaf falling on deaf ears; NAD agitates
New Delhi | Friday, Dec 4 2009 IST
 

National Association of the Deaf (NAD) staged a massive dharna outside Planning Commission to press for the implementation of the provisions of 11th Five-Year Plan for the welfare of the deaf and disabled.

The dharna was staged yesterday on World Disability Day.

''We wish to remind the Government that the deaf and the disabled form a significant part of the country but have been neglected,'' NAD Secretary A S Narayanan said.

NAD alleged that provisions of the Plan like setting up of at least one residential special school up to 12th grade for the deaf in every state and one degree college for the deaf in every zone have not been implemented.

Over two thousand deaf people from across the country tookpart in the demonstration.

President of Association of Sign Language Interpreters Arun C Rao told UNI, ''We had a meeting with Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia and Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik who have assured us of full support and concrete action.'' The NAD has also apprised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi of the situation.

Mr Rao also told UNI, ''We will now press for the establishment of a Universal Disabled Institute.'' The 11th Five-Year Plan also notes the importance of sign language and sub-titling and promises to set up a National Captioning Centre.

But, Mr Rao claimed, nothing had been done in this regard.

Stressing on the significance of sign language, Mr Rao added, ''Without sign language, we are like walking skeletons.

We want the Government to establish separate institutes of sign language and a separate department for it in each educational institute.'' He also noted that sign language was underestimated but was the only and natural road of communication for people with hearing disabilities.

NAD is also demanding setting up of the post of interpreter for the deaf in institutes and issuance of notices to all broadcasters to make their content accessible and disabled-friendly through sub-titling.

-- (UNI) -- 04DI9.xml

 

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