The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA) of Arunachal Pradesh recently organized a three-day Sign Language Training Workshop aimed at improving accessibility and communication for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. This initiative was conducted in partnership with the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development, Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (CRCSRE) located in Guwahati, under the auspices of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India.
The workshop catered to a diverse group including government officials from multiple departments, school teachers (both general and special educators), parents and guardians, as well as children who are hearing and speech impaired. The primary goal was to enhance communication skills within this demographic and promote a more inclusive society.
Kento Jini, the Minister for Law and Justice, Sports and Youth Affairs, and Social Justice and Empowerment, attended as the Chief Guest. In his address, he underscored the significance of sign language in bridging communication divides and ensuring equal opportunities for disabled individuals. He stressed the need for trained professionals in sign language to cater to the increasing demand within the state.
The workshop’s objectives included equipping the hearing and speech impaired and their parents with essential communication skills, offering citizens the chance to learn sign language with certification, and cultivating a network of qualified sign language interpreters to enhance career prospects. Furthermore, the training aimed to raise awareness about the challenges encountered by the hearing and speech impaired community.
Training sessions were designed to be practical and interactive, facilitating comprehension of basic sign language and inclusive communication methodologies. This initiative represents a crucial advancement in dismantling communication barriers and advancing accessibility and inclusivity throughout Arunachal Pradesh.
