Saturday, August 12, 2017
பல்வேறு கோரிக்கைளை வலியுறுத்தி மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகள் முற்றுகை போராட்டம்
மாற்றுத் திறனாளிகளுக்கு உரிய உதவித்தொகையை வழங்க வேண்டும், முகவரி மாறினாலூம் உதவித்தொகையை நிறுத்தக் கூடாது, அடையாளச் சான்றை மாற்றக் கோரி வற்புறுத்தக் கூடாது என்பவன உள்ளிட்டக் கோரிக்கைகளை அவர்கள் வலியுறுத்தினர். இதனைத் தொடர்ந்து போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுப்பட்டவர்களை கைது செய்த போலீசார் அவர்களை பேருந்துகளில் ஏற்றி அழைத்துச் சென்றனர்.
வேலை கேட்டு 21 ஆண்டாக அலையும் காது கேளாத, பேச முடியாத மாற்றுத்திறனாளி :கண்டு கொள்ளாத அதிகாரிகள்
09.08.2017 விருதுநகர்:வேலை கேட்டு விருதுநகர் கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்திற்கு 21 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு மேலாக அலைகிறார் காது கேளாத, பேச முடியாத மாற்றுத்திறனாளி . கஜினி அரசரின் படைடெடுப்பை மிஞ்சும் வகையில் நடையாய் நடக்கும் இவரை அதிகாரிகள் யாரும் கண்டு கொள்ளாததால், இவரது விடா முயற்சியும் தொடர்கிறது.
விருதுநகர் ரோசல்பட்டியைச் சேர்ந்தவர் முனியாண்டி,44. திருமணமாகி ஒரு மகன் உள்ளார்.மாற்றுத்திறனாளியான இவர் 10 ம் வகுப்பு படித்து, விருதுநகரில் உள்ள தனியார் பாலிடெக்னிக் கல்லுரியில் டூவீலர் மெக்கானிசம் முடித்துள்ளார். அதன்பின் சென்னையில் வேலைவாய்ப்பு அலுவலகத்தில் பதிவு செய்துள்ளார். இதுவரை வேலைக்கான அழைப்பு வரவில்லை. அரசு வேலை கேட்டு கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்திற்கு 21 ஆண்டுகளாக நடையாய் நடந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார்.அவர் தரப்பில் வழங்கிய மனுவில், “என் மனைவி என்னுடன் இல்லை. மகன்தான் இருக்கிறார். வெல்டிங் வேலை பார்த்து மகனை கல்லுரியில் படிக்க வைக்கிறேன். வயதான என் அம்மாவும் என்னுடன் தான் உள்ளார்.
தற்போது உடல்நிலை சரியில்லாது வேலையின்றி மிகவும் கஷ்டப்படுகிறேன். 1995 ல் டூவீலர் மெக்கானிசம் முடித்த நாள் முதல் வேலைக்கு பதிவு செய்து, வேலைக்கான அழைப்பு கடிதம் எதுவும் வரவில்லை, கடந்த 21 ஆண்டுகளாக கலெக்டர் அலுவலகத்திற்கு வேலை கேட்டுஅலைகிறேன். பல கலெக்டரிடம் பல முறை மனு கொடுத்து விட்டேன். யாரும் கண்டு கொள்வதும் இல்லை. அதிகாரிகளும் எந்த நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்கவில்லை. அரசு வேலை கிடைக்கும் நம்பிக்கையில் உள்ளேன், ”என,குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தார்.
Special servers dish out rare experience for diners
10.08.2017
Jaipur: Jaipur, a popular tourist destination, is seeing a new crop of entrepreneurs who are recognising people with special needs as viable workforce. The Pink City's three hotels have stood out by promising customers a unique experience with these special employees. Vitthal's Kitchen, a restaurant on Sahkar Marg, Thadiwala, a café in Vaishali Nagar, and Lemon Tree Group's Hotel Red Fox restaurants on Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg and Bani Park, are following in the footsteps of two nationwide cafe chains that have successfully employed people with disabilities.
As one’s hand reaches the door of the Vitthal’s Kitchen, a message in large yellow letters on a blue sheet catches one’s attention. “We can’t speak and hear, but we can serve you with a smile,” it reads. “Though the serving staff can’t speak or hear you, one can get better service than at any other restaurant,” said 33-year-old Ashish Sharma, the owner who had made a promise to himself to help them.
On the other side of the city is Thadiwala that employs speech and hearing impaired too. Neha Parikh and Ankita Parikh, in their early 20s, set up the restaurant chain in Nathdwara in 2015 and decided to hire people with disabilities as serving staff after a chance meeting with a group of such people.
“They came to our restaurant and faced problems while ordering food. After a brief interaction (on paper), we thought of employing them in our outlets,” Ms Neha said, while speaking over telephone from Nathdwara. Thadiwala has three outlets, two in Jaipur and one in Jodhpur, which have people with disabilities as the serving staff.
The trend was started by hotel chain, Lemon Tree hotels. While it took courage on the part of a young entrepreneur like Mr Sharma or Ms Neha to hire people with disabilities, but for a hotel chain the decision was more challenging looking at the stiff competition in the hospitality industry.
Four years after it came up, the Lemon Tree Group took the bold initiative of recruiting them. More than a decade later, 11 per cent of the 4,500-strong workforce across 45 hotels in 27 cities is people with disabilities while 6.5 per cent of its employees are from economically weaker sections. They have not only hired people with disabilities, but also are conducting trials for hiring people suffering with Down Syndrome and Autism.
“It was a conscious decision to employ people with disabilities. It isn’t merely fulfilling corporate social responsibility, but a part of our business model,” spokesperson Divya Agha said. In fact, the hotel chain has developed a process of inducting people with disabilities and those with economic and social disadvantages. As a fair and sensitive approach, every employee needed to be conversant in the sign language.
To be successful, a business needs to have more than good intentions, especially, in an industry that depends on quick and seamless delivery of services. While training them in all aspects of working in a restaurant from cleaning tables to taking orders and serving food; Mr Sharma picked up a bit of sign language too. “It was necessary to have an understanding with them,” he added.
At Vitthal’s Kitchen, the menu card is specially designed. A specific code is written against each food item. The menu card comes with an instruction on how to place the order, all one has to do is point to the code and show his or her fingers for quantity.
“We set up light bulbs on the tables which are connected to the kitchen. Whenever a customer takes a table or is ready to place an order, he or she only has to press a button and the staff will come. A notebook is then given to the customer for writing the order,” said Neha Parikh, co-owner, Thadiwala. Next, she said we are planning to bring out an app for both the customers and the serving staff.
Lemon Tree, initially, hired people with disabilities in back-end roles like kitchen stewarding, housekeeping before placement on front desk and restaurant. They have also been given cards, which help in sensitising guests.
“Business is as usual. There is no adverse impact rather people appreciate my initiative and visit us regularly,” Mr Sharma said. “They are sincere and hard working,” Ms Divya said.
And, the staffers, they couldn’t have asked for more. Their happy faces and firm handshakes say it all. Some of them like Raju, Anil and Lokesh at Red Fox are too happy to continue in their jobs while some at Vitthal’s Kitchen are preparing for SSC examinations.
Prithvi Shekar: I am happy and proud
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| Mixed doubles bronze medallists Prithvi Sekhar and Jafreen Shaik with coach Chandra Bhushan (right) in Turkey. |
Prithvi and his partner, Jafreen Shaik made history as they clinched the mixed doubles bronze medal at the recently concluded World Deaflympics held in Turkey.
"I’m ready to face any opponent," says bronze-medal hero Prithvi Sekhar.
Meet India’s No. 1 deaf tennis player, 23-year-old Prithvi Sekhar. The Chennai-lad etched his name in history books when he secured a mixed doubles bronze medal at the recently concluded World Deaflympics held in Turkey.
Being the sole representative from Tamil Nadu in the Indian contingent, Prithvi and his partner, Jafreen Shaik made history as they clinched the sport’s first medal in the competition’s history.
After being knocked out in the first round in the 2013 edition held in Bulgaria, Prithvi was determined to clinch a medal this time around and he’s realised the dream. While he would have hoped for a better performance in the singles category — where he finished fifth — he is optimistic of succeeding in the next edition.
“I am happy and proud to have won the bronze as it is the first medal for tennis,” says an excited Prithvi, while quickly adding, “I’ve already started training hard and my aim is to win gold in singles the next time.”
Born with a hearing deficiency, Prithvi’s tryst with tennis began at the age of eight, when he chose the sport over cricket because he wasn’t certain if he’d be able to fit in a team, and there has been no looking back since.
He’s currently ranked an impressive 70 in singles and 74 in doubles, as per the All India Tennis Association. “I’m planning to play well in upcoming AITA tournaments and perform in ITF tourneys abroad, too. While I will continue to play in deaf tournaments as well, the normal tournaments are more important,” he says.
While many say his disability could deter his performance, Prithvi has none of that.
“Being deaf makes no difference to my game. I don’t feel any difficulty and I’m ready to face any opponent,” he says with conviction.
The Federer fan rues over the fact that deaf tennis is not very competitive in the country as compared to other nations. Being at the helm of the deaf tennis circuit in India, he admits that it is relatively easier to win a medal, given the lack of competition. There is word that the ITF is looking to conduct tournaments for the deaf and he’s eagerly looking forward to the same.
Despite his recent exploits, he has not received any compensation or sponsorships. “To break into the top ITF ranks I need to train harder and travel abroad a lot. I need to get more funds and sponsorships for that,” he laments.
He has written to the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) about a possible sponsorship or a government job and the request has been forwarded to the State government.
The right-handed Prithvi now has a string of AITA and ITF tournaments coming up, before he heads to the National Games for Deaf in Ranchi in November.
While his achievement was no mean feat, one hopes he uses this as a platform to bolster his promising career.
How do we speak with the 18 million Indians who are deaf?
India is home to the largest deaf community of the world. If data points by several welfare organisations working for the benefit of the deaf communityare to be believed, there are an estimated 18 million deaf people in India (Lack of exact figures is because the Census of India documents an aggregate number of people with disabilities which includes all kinds of disabilities. The estimates also vary on how “deaf” is defined.)
Ayush was born deaf. He can pass off as a regular guy who works at a popular coffee chain, serving coffee and snacks to waiting for customers with a smile. He hides many stories behind that smile and wishes to tell it all, one day.
He ponders, “I don't regret being born a deaf, yes there are complexities and challenges I must face on a daily basis but what I actually regret, is not having the infrastructure to tell what I want to say or to prove myself. I just wish someone had the patience to sit with me and talk, instead of looking at me with pity.”
Need for a language
The biggest problem that the deaf community today faces is that of a common language. Who would know that only 0.25% deaf have access to bilingual education where knowledge of sign language is primary and that of a local language (to converse with the hearing community) is secondary or that for an 18 million deaf in India, there are only 250 registered interpreters?
The Indian deaf is scattered and is not informed. Most of them either don't reach the classrooms owing to a close link between disability and poverty in India or don’t understand much because most schools use the oral approach to teaching.
Those who can hear are always at an advantage. In terms of salary, career prospect; everything becomes stagnant after a while. Hearing and deaf community work separate. They don’t collaborate with us.
Those few who are fortunate of receiving the best quality education claim that an absence of any link between the hearing and deaf community stalls their growth. Amit Vardhan is an artist who works with Atulyakala, India’s first lifestyle brand run by deaf artists and designers.
A Bachelor and Masters in Fine Arts from a top college in Delhi in India, he says, “Those who can hear are always at an advantage. In terms of salary, career prospect; everything becomes stagnant after a while. Hearing and deaf community work separate. They don’t collaborate with us. There’s a major gap between deaf and hearing in terms of the money they earn too. We don't even get campus recruitments.”
Smriti Nagpal, the owner of Atulyakala, was brought up in a family where two of her elder siblings are deaf. While witnessing their world as someone who could hear, “sign language became an integral part” of her life “since childhood”.
She founded Atulyakala, thus, to break stereotypes. She wanted to show that they could be as efficient as those from the hearing community. Hiring a mix of both from the hearing and the deaf community, she says, “It’s a very silent, happy atmosphere that we share. Only those who are passionate to learn the sign language and use it in their daily lives, come and work with us. We only use signs to communicate--be it to share a joke or to get the work done.”
Why making Indian Sign Language official important?
Till 2012, the deaf community in India used American Sign Language as it did not have its own. The American Sign Language is worldwide accepted as a universal sign language but the Indian community still felt something amiss.
Almost every country has it own sign language and we realised that we didn’t have our own even though we have the highest deaf population of the world. We lacked a language that is culturally fitting in our environment, signs that we would be able to relate with.
Smriti says, “Almost every country has it own sign language and we realised that we didn’t have our own even though we have the highest deaf population of the world. We lacked a language that is culturally fitting in our environment, signs that we would be able to relate with. Like how they would sign mother and father in American Sign Language makes no sense in the Indian context. We have a very different sign for mother and father in Indian Sign Language, something relatable for an Indian user.
“I feel language also evolves, and then comes together in a standard form. Language has a lot to do with our culture, where we grow up, they are a reflection of our rituals. There is a huge cultural difference in how we use our hands, gestures in the South India or East India. But the Indian Sign Languagethus formed is standard in India--just how we have different accents in every region--similarly there are tweaks in the signs according to regions.”
The Indian Sign Language is today used by a large part of the deaf communitydue to several campaigns by activists and scholars, however, the language does not have an official status in the country. Smriti says, “We have been struggling to make it an official language. We are still waiting for the Indian government to recognise it and make it a part of the languages.”
Just like there are different dialects in oral language, sign language has a lot of variations. Unless the Indian Sign Language is made official, one form or structure cannot be mainstreamed. This impacts its further teachings. As a multilingual nation, the government needs to realise the need to officialise Indian Sign Language, for an inclusive growth of the community.
Way forward
As some scholars and activists believe that deaf community must be considered as a linguistic community, the Indian Sign language has to come out of its monotonous shell.
It is portrayed as a language for the deaf people, and not a language alone. As an entrepreneur, I realise it's all about pitching an idea--so portraying a language for all was the idea here. For example, focusing on the utility of the language rather than staying within the shackles of its limits.
Smriti says, “It is portrayed as a language for the deaf people, and not a language alone. As an entrepreneur, I realise it's all about pitching an idea--so portraying a language for all was the idea here. For example, focusing on the utility of the language rather than staying within the shackles of its limits. Like when you are in a bar where very loud music is being played, and you can't communicate with words, you can use signs to ask the waiter for a drink or anything else. You don't have to shout on the top of your voice.”
Smriti, like a few others, is encouraging people to learn the Indian Sign Language as just another language. It will go a long way in making those who can't hear and talk converse at ease.
Many feel that an official recognition of their language will go a long way in strengthening the deaf community and equip them to contribute to the society in a better fashion.
National Anthem ‘Jana Gana Mana’ Video in Sign Language Starring Amitabh Bachchan Makes Indian Independence Day So Very Special
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry launched an Indian National Anthem video in sign language, featuring disabled and partially disabled children. Veteran filmmaker Govind Nihalani directs the exclusive video made for the occasion of Independence Day 2017. It stars Amitabh Bachchan apart from the children who sing the National Anthem in sign language against the backdrop of the Red Fort. The formal rendition of India’s national anthem in Hindi version takes 52 seconds, and it has been completely communicated by the children and the senior actor perfectly in the sign language.
The HRD Ministry released a statement, which read – “The film is conceptualised by Satish Kapoor, Founder Director, We Care Film Festival. We Care Film Festival produced the Film under the aegis of Brotherhood, an NGO. It is directed by Govind Nihalani, and the music is scored by late Aadesh Shrivastava.” Best Patriotic Poems for Independence Day 2017: Famous Inspirational Songs on India’s Fight for Freedom.
Jana Gana Mana Lyrics
Jana Gana Mana Adhinaayak Jaya Hey,
Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Panjaab Sindhu Gujarat Maraatha,
Draavid Utkal Banga
Vindhya Himaachal Yamuna Ganga,
Uchchhal Jaladhi Taranga
Tav Shubh Naamey Jaagey,
Tav Shubh Aashish Maange
Gaahey Tav Jayagaathaa
Jana Gana Mangal Daayak,
Jaya Hey Bhaarat Bhaagya Vidhaataa
Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey, Jaya Hey,
Jaya Jaya Jaya, Jaya Hey
‘Divyang’ and not ‘Viklang’ – PM Narendra Modi
Minister of State for HRD Mahendra Nath Pandey praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his call for the inclusion of “divyangjan” in the country’s development. He said it was PM Modi who suggested that the term “‘divyang’ (divine body) instead of ‘viklang’ (handicapped) be used for persons with disability”. “Modi has a vision that India’s development will be complete when our divyangjan become an integral part of it and come forward in the nation building,” Pandey further added as reported by the news agency, IANS.
The Minister further called for creating an environment where such persons are able to “earn a livelihood and live an independent life like any other citizen”. It is our responsibility that they are brought into the mainstream and “integrated into national life”, Pandey said. He also praised the government’s decision to increase reservation in government vacancies from three per cent to four per cent for persons with benchmark disability.
Indian National Anthem Video in Sign Language
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ to be available for the visually and hearing impaired on TV
MUMBAI: Visually and hearing impaired people in India will now be able to enjoy Aamir Khan’s biggest movie, 'Dangal', as telecast rights holder Zee Entertainment Enterprises has decided to use audio description for the audiences.
Audio description conveys the most important visual aspects of the story by providing commentary during natural pauses and moments of silence. It is voice-over narration that explains what’s happening on the screen, including physical actions made by various characters and other important visual elements. The narration is inserted between lines of dialogue. This Audio Description is recorded and made available as a separate audio track that can be selected by the audience on their remote.
Taking the initiative #ZEEForAll, the Indian media conglomerate has decided to provide audiences with a sensory handicap access to entertainment that is currently enjoyed by millions of Indians with sight.
“Zee Cinema will be the first movie channel in India to premiere a film curated for the visually impaired. It will also have subtitles for the hearing impaired audiences,” said Punit Misra, CEO - Domestic Broadcast Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises.
“We hope that the premiere of ‘Dangal’ reaches out to the maximum number of visually and hearing impaired audiences in India. We are also exploring adding audio description in other Indian regional languages in the future. Just like Aamir gave us the audio description assets for Dangal, we will reach out to all our content partners requesting for the same as we expand the initiative,” he explained.
While in mature markets like the US it is already mandatory by law for all major networks to offer audio descriptions for the blinds, in India, there’s no such law. In fact, no efforts have been made by any private broadcaster so far despite the country being home to 8 million blind, 54.5 million people with low vision, and 62.6 million people with visual impairment, as per the World Health Organisation 2010 report, which makes India home to the second largest visually challenged population glob ..
On August 15, ZEE will become the first broadcaster in India to premiere ‘Dangal’ with audio description on Zee Cinema. The biggest Bollywood box-office success 'Dangal' is based on the true story of a former Indian national wrestling champion who battles existing social order to train his two young daughters to be world-class contenders in the otherwise male dominated sport of wrestling.
Zee Cinema has also associated with Association for the Visually Impaired, National Association For The Blind (Mumbai, Indore, Chandigarh and Lucknow), National Association For The Blind - The Workshop for the Blind in Mumbai, Institution For The Blind in Delhi and Patiala School of Blind & Deaf in Punjab.
Zee Cinema has hosted preview screenings with audio description and subtitles to sensitise the visually impaired with the technology of audio description and to bring entertainment within their reach.
“I immediately agreed with the idea of premiering ‘Dangal’ with audio description for the visually impaired and it’s a matter of absolute pride to associate with ZEE on this Independence Day premiere of my film,” Khan said.
Tuesday, August 8, 2017
NGO celebrates Friendship Day with hearing, speech impaired
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| Members of the NGO Helping Army celebrate Friendship Day at the school for hearing and speech impaired in Tagore Nagar. |
Members of the city-based NGO, Helping Army, celebrated Friendship Day at the school for hearing and speech impaired children in Tagore Nagar on Sunday.
Members greeted children with gifts, cards and also celebrated the occasion. The cake-cutting ceremony, dance and fun activities were also held to mark the day.
The NGO founders, Sahibjot Singh Chawla, and Ikjap Singh, said, “We feel great to share the joy and celebration with children, who cannot speak or hear, but can express their warmth and friendship with their expression.”
Everyone must extend a hand of friendship for these children and support them to progress and be successful in life, they added.
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