The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is likely to launch a sign language institute for the hearing impaired. Also, the University plans to organize seminars and workshops for their empowerment.
According to a statement issued by V.N. Rajasekharan, IGNOU Vice-Chancellor (VC), the deaf adults should be able to go to the highest level for which they will be conducting activities in different parts of the country. He also added that IGNOU on regular basis will conduct meetings with these associations.
As per sources, the VC made the announcement during a meeting held with National Association of the Deaf (NAD) and All India Federation of Deaf (AIFD) for their views in setting up the institute.
Recently, the central government has approved the setting up of an Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), at first on project basis for duration of five years, as an autonomous centre of the IGNOU.
IGNOU said that during recruitment of the faculty preference should be given to deaf candidates. Furthermore, the VC mentioned that they shall appoint deaf staff on probationary basis for the proposed centre.
