As the world is celebrating International Week of the Deaf from September 23 to 30, most of the people feel that the celebration is a farce until concrete steps are taken to create awareness and job opportunities for the differently abled.
In the city, only a handful of organisations are making efforts for a healthy life for such people. All India Pingalwara Charitable Society, Amritsar, has been running six schools in the state, including a hostel-cum-schooling centre at its Manawala branch. The institutions, titled Bhagat Puran Singh School for the Deaf, are run online at multiple elementary schools to educate and help the deaf learn the sign language through a qualified teacher.
“The level of awareness has increased over the years, but there is a long way to go. The government needs to come up with ample opportunities for the deaf,” says Group Capt (retd) Rajinder Pal Singh, Director, Bhagat Puran Singh School for the Deaf.
“The state has 22 districts, but there are only 10 schools for deaf. There are only 50 qualified teachers,” he said.
“Most of the kids with hearing impairment are mentally stable. They must be made self reliant at an early age. The syllabus must be cut down according to their requirement. There should be more institutes providing education at an affordable price,” said Dharminder Singh Gill, in charge and district coordinator, Pehal Government Resource Centre.
Rahul, a professional under the National Career Service, Ministry of Labour and Employment, said, “There is one such centre under the ministry in Ludhiana.The government is making efforts, but concrete and swift steps are to be taken to ensure that they get jobs after undergoing courses. Sometimes, parents are to be counselled to help them develop a perspective for their child’s future. A shift in general is required in society,” he added.
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