There are about 70 million deaf people in the globe. According to one estimation, more than 80% of deaf people are existing in developing countries. Dead people face many tribulations in their lives. Their problems are further increased when no legal support or security comes from governments or society. It is hard to elucidate the troubles faced by deaf people on a standard basis. The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) which is renowned by the United Nations as their spokes-organization is celebrating the International Week of the Deaf from 20 to 26 September. International Day of the Deaf will be held on September 26. The celebrations are carried out throughout the world by individuals and national associations of the Deaf.
WFD was recognized in Rome, Italy in 1951. It is an international, non-governmental central organization of national associations of deaf people. More than 130 countries are elements of this association. WFD is the leading authority in regards to rights of deaf people. WFD has always encouraged its members to spotlight on issues faced by deaf people in day to day lives. This year, the focus is on Deaf Education. It is a very litigious concern in the world because most of the countries do not have any condition or arrangement for education of deaf people. It is a total bias to deaf people who might be as able and capable to do as well as typical people but the discrimination factor is grudging them of healthier education and career opportunities.
WFD has always accentuated upon "equality, human rights and respect for all people, regardless of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual preference, age and all other differences". WFD works in close collaboration with the UN and its diverse agencies for the profit of deaf people in agreement with the principles and objectives of the UN Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other broad acts and recommendations of the UN and its focused agencies.
Life for deaf and hard of hearing people in India continues to progress. There are more schools for the deaf, a growing figure of educational and training opportunities, plus several organizations for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Deaf Culture in India
India commemorates the International Week for the Deaf in September, and September 26 is recognized as the "Day of the Deaf" in India.Deaf Organizations in India
India has some deaf organizations at the national, state, and regional levels. A listing of the ones I found is at the end of this article. Even deaf women in India have their own organizations. There is the Delhi Foundation of Deaf Women, and the Madras Foundation of Deaf Women.
Demographics of Deafness in India
India is a very populous country (projected 1 billion plus population) so the number of deaf people can not be definitely projected. It is known to be in the millions - some estimates are as high as 60 million. Even though India is quickly developing, there is still plenty of poverty, and thus a high rate of deafness.Genetics is also a factor, and the article "Genetics of deafness in India" in The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, volume 71, number 6, 2004 looks at that. In addition, the Indian Council for Medical Research has a project doing genetic studies of Indian relations for deafnessa.
Deaf Sport in India
India has a handful of deaf sports organizations, including:- All India Sports Council of the Deaf
- All India Cricket Association of the Deaf
- Delhi Sports Council for the Deaf
Deaf Publications
The only deaf publication I could find was The Deaf Way, a free publication sent to schools and institutions in India. Another one was Silent World, published in Bombay in the 60s through the 70s. A search for cross-disability publications found that the Ability Foundation based in Chennai publishes Success & Ability, which includes deafness articles.Deaf Entrepreneurship in India
Illiteracy, discrimination, and unemployment plague India's deaf population. Some deaf people in India have been successful in launching their own businesses. One such company is Virtual O a greeting card company that sells work by deaf artists in India.Sign Language in India
India is a huge country and has many variations, or dialects, of sign language. One example is Delhi sign language. Deaf people in the country are reportedly working towards a single sign language. Sign Media (www.signmedia.com) had produced a Signs Around the World video series that included a tape on India showing people in India using sign language.Make the Sign for India
The sign for "India" is online at- ASL Browser
- ASL Pro
- Handspeak.com
Interpreting in India
Sign language interpreting is growing as a profession in India. There is a professional organization for Indian sign language interpreters, the Association of Sign Language Interpreters.Hearing Aids in India
Some hearing aid companies have India subsidiaries. For example, there is Widex India, which has given free hearing aids to children in India. Another one is Phonak, which has a subsidiary in India. India also has its own hearing aid manufacturers, such as Elkon (www.elkon.com). Another one is Arphi, www.arphi.com.Government and Community Services for the Deaf in India
Government Agencies
The Rehabilitation Council of India tenders interpreter training, sustains a National Directory of Interpreters, and provides training to teachers of the deaf.The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in New Delhi darts the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped. It is a nationwide government agency with both provincial and area centers. Ali Yavar runs an auditory verbal preschool, does research, and offers vocational training. The Institute also proposes bachelors degrees in deaf education and has a website devoted to jobs for the deaf in India, www.jobsfordeaf.nic.in.