By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 22: In Meghalaya, the journey to become truly inclusive and accessible for the deaf and mute community is a long road, and the shortage of sign language experts and interpreters is a significant challenge.
Ferdinand Marshillong, a disability activist and research scholar, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in a conversation with The Shillong Times pointed out that the shortfall of interpreters and special educators for deaf and mute children.
Most of them are concentrated in special and inclusive schools in Shillong, Tura, and some Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan schools across Meghalaya. However, education for deaf and mute children, especially in rural areas, needs substantial improvement.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was established to ensure inclusive education for all children, including those with different abilities. Unfortunately, the educational outcomes for children with disabilities have been less than satisfactory, and the allocation for inclusive education is quite low.
The SSA implemented innovative schemes Inclusive Education for Disabled (IED) among others.
While Rs 83 lakh had been made available for these schemes in Meghalaya, the state had confessed that it failed to implement them in many districts, the Comptroller and Auditor General Report of 2017 had revealed.
Sign language, technology, special educators, and interpreters play crucial roles in the learning process of deaf students.
Marshillong emphasized that without these resources, the education of deaf students becomes incredibly challenging. He considers himself fortunate because he learned his local language before losing his hearing ability, enabling him to continue speaking and reading.
However, for children born without hearing ability, the situation is different. They need early exposure to sign language. Without proper education, these children face difficulties in higher education and job opportunities, hindering their inclusion in society.
Technology has brought relief by making learning more accessible, but Marshillong expressed his concern about hearing and speech-impaired individuals who cannot afford these innovations.
While some applications are free, they often require a stable internet connection, which is a challenge in Meghalaya due to poor connectivity.
Marshillong stressed the need to encourage linguists and research scholars and called for students and teachers to support sign language advocacy and government recognition. Recognizing sign language as a human right for the deaf and mute community is essential for their full inclusion in society. “This recognition can enhance the quality of education, bridge communication gaps, and create future job opportunities,” stated Marshillong.