“Indian Sign Language Must Become Part of Everyday Citizenship”: DEPwD Calls for Wider Use of ISL to Advance Deaf People’s Human Rights
Indian Sign Language (ISL) must be promoted and used more widely as a language of everyday citizenship so that deaf persons can participate fully and exercise their rights with dignity, Additional Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, said today. Addressing the celebration of Sign Language Day 2026 on the theme “Declaring Deaf People’s…
Ms. Manmeet Kaur Nanda, Additional Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), urged the wider use of Indian Sign Language (ISL) as a means of everyday citizenship. The call came during the celebration of Sign Language Day 2026 at Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium in New Delhi. The theme for the event was "Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights".
Nanda emphasized the importance of promoting ISL among citizens across the country to improve communication, participation and inclusion of deaf persons in everyday life. She highlighted that increased familiarity with and use of ISL can help overcome communication barriers and allow deaf citizens access to education, opportunities and public life.
The event brought together various stakeholders to mark the significance of sign language as an essential communication tool and a pathway to realizing human rights. The celebration showcased new initiatives and resources developed by the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) to enhance learning, education, research and access to Indian Sign Language.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
