Context

• As the 2024 general election in India draws to a close, the absence of sign language interpreters during the ECI’s announcement in March is a stark reminder of the pervasive exclusion faced by Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) citizens.
• This incident underscores the broader societal neglect and ableism that continue to marginalise the DHH community in everyday life.
• It is important to assess everyday challenges for DHH individuals, limited opportunities and what needs to be done.

The Push for Equity and the Reality of Exclusion

• India's aspirations for equity in education, healthcare, and rights are fundamentally undermined by the failure to dismantle ableist barriers that exclude DHH individuals.
• The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness is a case in point.
• While it addresses the prevention and treatment of hearing impairment, it falls short of enhancing the quality of life for DHH individuals.
• The program focuses on theoretical aspects of screening and hearing aids but neglects the Indian Sign Language (ISL), a crucial element of deaf communication.
• Despite the establishment of the ISL Research and Training Centre by the Social Justice Ministry in 2015 and recommendations for ISL standardisation in schools as per the National Education Policy 2020, ISL remains unrecognised as an official language and is sparsely used in educational systems, even in schools for the deaf.

The Oralism Debate and Educational Exclusion

• Historical Context and Pedagogical Approaches
  • The debate between oralism and the use of sign language in educating deaf individuals has deep historical roots, reflecting broader societal attitudes towards disability and communication.
  • Oralism, which emphasises teaching deaf individuals to use their voices and read lips rather than relying on sign language, emerged in the late 19th century.
  • Proponents of oralism believed that integrating deaf individuals into the hearing world was best achieved by encouraging them to mimic spoken language as closely as possible.
  • This approach assumed that speech and lip-reading would enable deaf individuals to function more effectively in a predominantly hearing society.
• Criticisms of Oralism
  • Despite its intentions, oralism has been widely criticised for its limitations and negative impacts on deaf individuals.
  • One of the primary criticisms is that oralism often leads to linguistic deprivation, especially in children.
  • Learning to speak and read lips can be extremely challenging and time-consuming for many deaf individuals, leading to delays in language acquisition and cognitive development.
  • Without early and consistent exposure to a natural language, such as sign language, deaf children are at risk of not developing the foundational language skills necessary for effective communication and learning.
  • Additionally, the focus on oralism can create significant social isolation for deaf individuals.
  • The pressure to conform to oral communication can also undermine the development of a strong, positive deaf identity and a sense of belonging within the deaf community.
• The Case for Sign Language
  • In contrast, using sign language as the primary mode of instruction for deaf students has been shown to have numerous benefits.
  • Sign language is a natural and fully developed language that enables deaf individuals to communicate effectively from an early age.
  • Research has demonstrated that early exposure to sign language supports cognitive development and academic achievement, allowing deaf children to develop language skills on par with their hearing peers.
  • Furthermore, sign language fosters a sense of community and cultural identity among deaf individuals.
  • Being part of a linguistic and cultural minority can provide a strong sense of belonging and self-worth.
• The Indian Context
  • In India, the education system has largely adhered to the oralist approach, which has significant implications for deaf students.
  • Most educators in schools for the deaf are not trained in Indian Sign Language (ISL), perpetuating a cycle of exclusion and limited accessibility.
  • The current educational framework focuses on "rehabilitation," expecting deaf individuals to adapt to their surroundings rather than addressing the societal barriers that impede their inclusion.
  • This approach fails to recognise the value of sign language and the importance of providing deaf students with a language-rich environment that supports their linguistic and cognitive development.

The Invisible Deaf Population, Everyday Challenges and Opportunities

• The Invisible Population
  • According to the 2011 Census, India has five million hearing-impaired people, but the National Association of the Deaf estimates 18 million, while the World Health Organization estimates nearly 63 million Indians have significant hearing impairment.
  • Despite these numbers, DHH individuals are often invisible in society and only 5% of deaf children attend school, and those who do often face prolonged educational timelines due to an oralist curriculum.
  • Employment opportunities for the deaf are limited, with government recruitment practices sometimes favouring those with lesser impairments, leading to protests.
  • Despite petitions for ISL recognition, the government has been resistant, citing the adequacy of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (RPDA) 2016, yet this act falls short in practical implementation.
• Lack of Accessibility in Public Transport
  • DHH individuals face numerous everyday challenges due to a lack of accessibility in public transport, media, public structures, and emergency services.
  • Basic activities, such as following public announcements or accessing customer service, are insurmountable tasks.
  • While some progress has been made with accessible options in films and sports, much remains to be done.
  • Employment opportunities for the deaf are often restricted to low-skill jobs, and the government sector lags in accessibility and inclusion initiatives.
  • Protests by the deaf community demanding better education and employment opportunities have often been met with force or empty promises.
• Healthcare and Mental Health Accessibility
  • Access to healthcare poses additional challenges for the deaf community, as most hospitals lack interpreters, complicating communication.
  • This is especially problematic in mental healthcare, where a lack of ISL-trained professionals further marginalises DHH individuals.
  • Although the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 promises universal mental health care, its implementation is ineffective, with only 250 certified sign language interpreters available and no clear data on ISL-trained mental health professionals.

Way Forward: Moving Towards Accessibility and Inclusion

• To address these issues, it is imperative to recognise ISL as an official language and integrate it into schools and colleges for both hearing and DHH students.
  • This approach would also create employment opportunities for DHH individuals as educators.
• Moreover, healthcare systems need to be updated to ensure easy and accessible communication for DHH patients, including employing language-concordant physicians.
  • Regulatory commissions in medical fields must reduce barriers for DHH individuals aspiring to healthcare professions, fostering a more inclusive workforce.
• Media channels should consistently offer deaf programming, and government event announcements should include live ISL interpreters, as seen in many other countries.
• Timely interventions in these areas could lead to significant improvements, potentially ensuring real-time ISL interpretations in future elections.

Conclusion

• The challenges faced by the DHH community in India are multifaceted and deeply entrenched in societal ableism.
• While some progress has been made, much needs to be done and therefore it is crucial for authorities to actively engage with the DHH community and address their specific needs.
• By recognising and implementing necessary changes, India can move towards a more inclusive society where the rights and needs of DHH individuals are fully acknowledged and met.