Breaking the Silence: Indian Sign Language for All

On September 21, 2025, Enable Education hosted a webinar titled “Breaking the Silence: Indian Sign Language for All.” Held virtually on Google Meet, the session featured Mr. A.S. Narayanan, President of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and Mr. Samarth Pathak, Communications & Advocacy Lead (South Asia), United Nations. The discussion was moderated by Ms. Aarushi Gambhir, Founder of Enable Education. Sign language access for the session was ensured by Dr. Renuka Rameshan, President of the Association of Sign Language Interpreters (ASLI), and Mr. Shivam Vadhera, Interpreter at EnAble India.

Mr. Narayanan, a leading advocate for Deaf rights in India, began by sharing his journey into activism. He explained how early petitions and organized initiatives in 2004 brought together leaders across the country, laying the foundation for the deaf movement. He highlighted the challenges deaf persons continue to face in education, employment, and daily life due to the absence of sign language as a recognized medium of instruction. Protests and public gatherings over the years, including the historic declaration of the International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September 2018, amplified demands for inclusion.

He emphasized that while the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 overlooked Indian Sign Language (ISL), subsequent reforms like the NEP 2020 and NCERT’s collaboration to translate textbooks into ISL marked important milestones. Education, he noted, is the backbone of a good life, and early learning in sign language is critical for equal opportunities. Despite some progress, ISL is still not recognized as an official language in India. Mr. Narayanan stressed the urgent need for constitutional inclusion under the 23rd Schedule, with the upcoming 2026 Census expected to provide crucial data to strengthen this demand.

The discussion also addressed workplace challenges, where despite a 4% reservation in government jobs, Deaf individuals are often restricted to roles with limited communication. Accessible workplaces, quality interpreters, and greater awareness are needed to bridge this gap. Technology, too, plays a growing role—platforms like WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet have enabled smoother communication, and sign-to-text innovations are emerging as potential solutions. However, he cautioned that the shortage of trained interpreters remains a major barrier.

Reflecting on his international experiences at WFD Congresses and with Deaf communities worldwide, Mr. Narayanan noted that each country has its own sign language, and global learning exchanges strengthen advocacy back home. He urged Indian educators and policymakers to prioritize ISL in curricula, teacher training, and public life. His message to youth and society was clear: inclusion must be built by ensuring everyone, not just the Deaf, learns and values sign language.