A historic MoU was signed between Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center-ISLRTC (a National Institute of DEPwD, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) and NCERT (a National Institute of Ministry of Education) to make education materials accessible for deaf children in their preferred format of communication viz Indian Sign Language.
More About the MoU
- As part of this MoU, educational print materials such as NCERT textbooks, teachers handbook and other supplementary materials and resources of Class I-XII of all subjects of both Hindi and English medium will be converted into Indian Sign Language in digital format.
- Through this MoU, the Government is moving towards realizing the provisions mentioned in the Right to Education (RTE) 2009, and the Rights of Persons with Disability Act (RPWD) 2016 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, such as the use of appropriate and alternative means of communication, in which sign language has an important place.
- In the childhood days, the cognitive skills of children are developed and it is very necessary to provide them educational material as per their learning needs. So far, hearing impaired children used to study only through verbal or written medium. Indian Sign Language will not only enhance their vocabulary but also enhance their capabilities to understand concepts.
- Signing of this MoU is based on UNICEF’s initiative “Accessible Digital Textbooks for All” and it is a landmark decision.
- Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) is an autonomous national institute of DEPwD, MSJE which is dedicated to the task of developing man-power for popularizing the use of Indian Sign Language, teaching and conducting research in Indian Sign Language.