R Day telecast on DD may include sign language this year

For the first time, this year's Republic Day telecast on national TV may see simultaneous sign language interpretation for the hearing impaired people.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari gave an assurance to this effect to a delegation of Disabled Rights Group (DRG) today when it called on him.
National Association of the Deaf (NAD), a representative organisation of deaf and hard of hearing people in India, said that more than 18 million people will benefit from sign language interpretation.
"The Minister was very positive and has given his assurance on the issue of sign language interpretation of the telecast on Doordarshan," said Javed Abidi, Convenor of DRG.

He said Tewari's assurance follows personal intervention made by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The delegation had met Gandhi yesterday.
Abidi said though the I and B Ministry was planning to have sign language interpretation only on DD News, activists are demanding it to be available on DD National as well.

"Although, several countries have sign language interpretation of all important broadcasts such as statements by Heads of State, parliamentarians, important announcements and others, India has still to take it up," said A S Narayanan, Secretary of NAD.
"India has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CPD) and as such is obligated to make all information accessible to everyone irrespective of disability. To keep millions of viewers bereft of this is blatant discrimination," Abidi added.

The members of the delegation which called on Tewari were Abidi, Zorin Singha and Narayanan of National Association of the Deaf and Neelam Jolly of Vishwas.
Also, present at the meeting were the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Secretary of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.