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 is celebrating Sign Language Day-2022 today at C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi.
Ever since the United Nations declared 23rd September as the International Day of Sign Languages, the ISLRTC celebrates it every year on 23rd September. This year National Implementation Committee (NIC) chaired by Home Minister inter-alia approved the event – “Sign Language Day” on 23rd Sep, 2022 to be conducted and celebrated by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment” (Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), under “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebration.
On the occasion of this milestone celebration, all the NIs under DEPwD/CRCs/RCs/Associated NGOs/Deaf Schools have been advised to conduct various activities to celebrate Sign Language Day within and outside their respective organizations to have maximum public outreach (maximum Jan Bhagidhari).
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 the Sign Language Day in order to create positive awareness about Indian Sign Language among all sections of our society.
As per the plan of action, approximately 3,200 organizations/ institutions have been roped in for celebrating Sign Language Day-2022 under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
The objective of the Sign Language Day celebration at large scale is to sensitize the general public about the importance of Indian sign languages, and the information and communication accessibility for persons with hearing disabilities. Sign language not only plays an important role in educating people, but also is vital in creating employment and vocational training for persons with hearing disabilities.
The theme of this year Sign Language Day-2022 is “Sign Languages Unite us”. As per WFD, on this Day, together we sign onto a declaration of support for sign languages as an essential human right for deaf people, and sign for human rights! On this day, collective efforts of deaf communities, governments, and civil society representatives are made to recognize and promote the different national sign languages around the world.
