Standard sign language for the deaf in India soon

From: Hindustan Times, India - Sep 16, 2004

Press Trust of India
New Delhi, September 16

In the absence of a standard sign language for the deaf in India, one of the oldest associations of the deaf in the country has taken it upon itself to formulate a comprehensive set of symbols that could be adopted as the standard sign language of the country.

"Signs differ from place to place and even from person to person in the absence of standard signs," says DS Chauhan, Honorary Secretary of the Delhi Association of the Deaf. As a result two deaf persons from different parts of the country find it difficult to communicate with each other.

The Association, in collaboration with the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is in the process of setting up a cell to create a common sign language and having petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the issue, is also preparing a report on the issue to be submitted to President APJ Abdul Kalam.

© HT Media Ltd. 2004.