CHANDIGARH: On the occasion of World Hearing Day under the National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness run by the Department of Health and Family Welfare Punjab conducted a one day special training in Indian Sign Language (ISL) for deaf and mute people. Mass education and information officers and Block Extension Educators from all Districts of Punjab participated in this training. The training was conducted in collaboration with Sangeeta Hand and Eye Foundation.
Giving information about sign language training, Assistant Director Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Indian Sign Language is the primary language of deaf and mute people in India, which has its own grammar and composition . It is the language of any region that gives each person, his or her identity, culture and self-reliance. Sign language is just as important as any other language.
Mr. Hitesh, Interpreter trainer, said that deaf and dumb people communicate with each other, family members and society through sign language and only by gaining knowledge about sign language can the barrier of exchange of ideas be overcome. We should not look at such people with pity, but should consciously learn their language and converse with them. The deaf and mute people are also an integral part of our society.
Training participants will further train medical and para-medical staff of the Health Department so that persons with such disabilities do not face any difficulty when they come to avail services in our health institutions.