This story is from September 25, 2018

Governor asks varsities to offer courses in sign language

Governor asks varsities to offer courses in sign language
Governor P Sathasivam observes his speech interpreter translating his speech in sign language at the inaugural function of the Deaf Week 2018 held at NISH in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor Justice P Sathasivam has stressed the need to strengthen research in the area of sign language ‘to effectively standardize the Indian Sign Language (ISL) system in such a way that it suits our linguistic and cultural diversity’.
“All universities should offer courses in sign language, at least as an add-on subject. Only by popularizing this language among the people we can achieve the goal of full inclusion through sign language, which is the motto of this year’s Deaf Week observance,” the governor said during the inauguration of the observance of the International Week of the Deaf at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Akkulam, here on Monday.
Pointing out that of the 360 million suffering from hearing impairments across the world, 63 million were from India, the governor said prevalence of both hearing loss and communication disorders in India was found to be higher in comparison to that of developed countries like New Zealand, the UK and the US.

“This reality must compel us to devote more attention and concerted efforts to the handling of such disabilities,” he said.
Sathasivam lauded the efforts of institutions like NISH ‘which offer early intervention, academics, and clinical services in preventing this disability’. “Our youth who suffer from communication disorders should also get more avenues for employment. Already, the IT policy of Kerala envisages empowerment of the differentlyabled youth through employment opportunities. I hope this dream will soon become a reality for more people with disabilities,” he said.
The governor also launched the VCD of the national anthem in sign language which was created by the students of NISH. Presiding over the function, social Justice secretary Biju Prabhakar said the absence of a common sign language in schools for hearing impaired for teaching subjects and languages was a lacuna, which needs to be addressed.
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