International Sign Languages Day

United Nations has declared 23^rd September as ‘International Sign Language Day’. The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) was celebrated the ‘International Sign Language Day’. The theme of this year is ‘Sign Languages are for everyone’ with a view of enhancing awareness about Sign language and expanding its reach to everyone.

Smt. Shankantula said that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognizes Sign Language as a means of communication.

The importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf. Sign Language is a way of communication of using hand gestures, which are usually read by people unfit to hear or speak.

The International Day of Sign Languages was celebrated first time in 2018 as part of the International Week of the Deaf. The International Week of the Deaf was celebrated first time in 1958.

Rights of Sign Language :

-> Sign Languages are equal in status to spoken languages.

-> Deaf People to allow to give and receive official communications in the way they choose, including sign languages.

-> Obligatory to the government to encourage the learning and promote the linguistic identity of the Deaf Community.

-> Requires the governments to provide early and comprehensive information, services and support to children with disabilities and their families, including information about deaf culture, sign language and bilingual education.

Source- PIB, UN, NDTV