Mumbai: While India has its own sign language for the people with speech and hearing impairment, a Mumbai-based activist is on a mission to increase the prevalence of American sign language (ASL) as he believes that it will open doors for the specially-abled youth to seek employment opportunities across the globe.
Mumbai Activist Moves SC For ASL In Schools
The activist has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) with the Supreme Court of India seeking directions to the state government to make ASL compulsory in all the schools for hearing impaired students.
PIL Seeks ASL Alongside Indian Sign Language
Aman Azad, who runs a news portal for people with hearing impairment, has filed a PIL with the SC seeking its intervention directing the union government and the competent authorities of all states and union territories to make ASL a compulsory subject in the curriculum of all schools for the specially-abled across India. The litigation also seeks that the Indian sign language (ISL) should be retained alongside the addition of ASL.
ASL To Open Global Job Opportunities: Petitioner
The petitioner has argued that proficiency in ASL would equip deaf students in India with the ability to communicate with a larger global community, opening up avenues for international education, employment, and cultural exchange.
‘ASL 4th Most Common In US’
He claimed that ASL is the fourth most common language in the United States and is widely used in other countries and learning it would significantly enhance their social and economic inclusion.
Vast Online Learning Resources Available In ASL
The PIL claimed that a vast majority of educational resources, including online courses, webinars, and technical tutorials, are available in ASL and access to these resources would equip hearing-impaired students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
Petition Cites Article 21 & RPWD Act
It added that the limited availability of such resources in ISL restricts their access to vital information. It also invoked the Indian constitution’s Article 21, which guarantees the fundamental right to education and the Right of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which further emphasises the need for inclusive education and equal access to communication for persons with disabilities.
ISL Must Be Preserved For Cultural Identity
Through the petition, Azad has sought that ISL should also be retained to preserve India’s cultural heritage as well as deaf identity and implementing ASL would not diminish its importance.
“Instead, it would promote bilingualism among deaf students, offering them greater flexibility and communication options. This bilingual approach is increasingly recognised as beneficial for cognitive development and academic achievement among deaf individuals,” read the petition.
Push For ASL Teacher Training & Resource Allocation
Along with the directions to implement bilingualism, Azad has prayed for allocation of necessary resources and training for teachers and educators to effectively implement the bilingual education programs.
ASL Could Create 25,000 Teaching Jobs: Azad
Talking to The Free Press Journal, Azad said, “India has a population of 63 lakh people with hearing impairment. If we introduce ASL for the deaf population, it will introduce vacancies for 25,000 ASL teachers across the country, which will benefit the specially-abled youth, who are unemployed. This has the potential to change the lives of people with disabilities.”
