ISLRTC, NCERT collaborate to convert education materials into Indian sign language form

Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre-ISLRTC (a National Institute of Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment) and NCERT (a National Institute of Ministry of Education) have inked an MoU to make education materials accessible for hearing impaired children in their preferred format of communication of Indian sign language.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Shakuntala Doley Gamlin, Secretary, DEPwD and Anita Karwal, Secretary (School Education & Literacy), Ministry of Education. Dr Prabodh Seth, Joint Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) and Director, ISLRTC and Prof Hrushikesh Senapathy, Director, NCERT signed the MoU from the respective institutes on Tuesday.

During the programme organised to mark the 60th Foundation Day of NCERT, at which Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' and Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thaawarchand Gehlot attended virtually, the online format of NISHTHA training was also released.

Dr Pokhriyal congratulated NCERT on signing of the MoU, saying it ensures educational standardisation of Indian sign language as mandated in the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He said DEPwD has done remarkable works for the welfare and upliftment of Divyangjan in the country for the past six years. The MoU will empower the hearing impaired children in the country.