Rajasthan government apathetic towards education of deaf children

30 September, 2012

The last week of September is observed as the International Week of the Deaf (IWD) with its last day culminating on the last Sunday of the week. On September 29, Rajasthan Association of the Deaf (RAD) organised a rally of deaf children in front of the Albert Hall in Jaipur.

IN THE rally oganised by RAD, deaf children from most districts of Rajasthan took part. However, the organisers and children were disappointed when one of the government officials from education and child welfare department did not turn up for the rally. Also, the participation of deaf girls was also minimal from other districts.

According to Sheelu Pahi, the president of RAD, there is a general governmental apathy towards the education of deaf children and also there is not an adequate funding for the NGOs working for education and welfare of deaf children. There is a demand for learning of sign language and its interpretation to the normal people but no serious efforts are being made, complained Pahi.

Worldwide, there is a need for inclusive education of the deaf and efforts to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf, deafened, deaf-blind and hard of hearing people, such as sign language and lip-reading.
The IWD was launched by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) in 1958 consequent to the 1st World Congress of the WFD took place in September 1951.

According to the WFD, the purpose of IWD is to draw the attention of politicians, authorities and the general public towards the achievements of deaf people and the concerns of the deaf community. During this week, organisations of deaf people worldwide are encouraged to carry out information campaigns about their work, and to publicise their demands and requests.

Another purpose of IWD is to increase solidarity among deaf people and their supporters, and is used as a time to stimulate greater efforts to promote the rights of deaf people throughout the world. But, unfortunately, there is no common platform for the deaf people of Rajasthan and the government is ignoring their rights, it is felt.