Setting up of India Sign Language Research and Training Centre

The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the setting up of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) as a Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The ISLRTC will be under the aegis of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It shall be located initially at the Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi.

This decision will help the five million deaf community of the country. It shall provide for increased accessibility for the hearing impaired in education, in the workplace and in all activities of public life.

The Centre will be a Society consisting of a President and 12 Members in the General Council. There will be an Executive Council consisting of a Chairperson and nine Members, some Ex-officio and others, as experts from National Level Organizations of the Deaf/Universities/Academic Institutions and independent experts in Indian Sign Language (ISL).

The needs of the deaf community for a common ISL and related matters have long been ignored, and problems have been documented by various organizations working for the deaf. The Centre will lead the way in academic development, training and propagation of the Indian Sign Language. Development of sign language interpreters, Research and Development and new technology will be the focus area of the Centre. It will provide equal opportunities to hearing impaired persons to fully participate in every sphere of life.