Date: 2025-07-09Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
ISLRTC to organize National Workshop on ‘Best Practices for Teaching English to Deaf Students Using Indian Sign Language’, on 10th - 11th July 2025 in New Delhi
The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is organizing a National Workshop on Best Practices for Teaching English to Deaf Students Using Indian Sign Language (ISL). This inaugural Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) program will be held on July 10-11, 2025, at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, and will be inaugurated by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, DEPwD.
The workshop aims to identify effective pedagogical approaches to improve English literacy among Deaf students, specifically those enrolled in the Diploma in Teaching Indian Sign Language (DTISL) course, and other Deaf individuals facing literacy challenges. Insights from the workshop will inform future revisions of the Basic English Part 1 and 2 modules of the DTISL curriculum.
The event will feature presentations, discussions, demonstrations, and group activities led by national and international experts, including: Dr. Sibaji Panda (Happy Hands School for the Deaf), Shri Sunil Sahasrabudhe (bilingual education expert), Shri Rajesh Ketkar (MBM News and Orjet Foundation), Shri Hari Hara Kumar (Deaf Enabled India), Ms. Sharayu Kadam (TEACH, Mumbai), Ms. Chithra Prasad (NISH, Kerala), and Mr. Abbas Ali Behamanesh (Gallaudet University, USA, online). Participants will include ISL instructors, Master Trainers from National Institutes/Composite Regional Centres under DEPwD, English teachers from Deaf schools, and representatives from NIOS, NCERT, and other institutions. The program reflects ISLRTC's dedication to inclusive and quality education for the Deaf community and seeks to strengthen collaborative strategies for improving English literacy outcomes through ISL.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: Union government ministry responsible for empowerment of disadvantaged and marginalized communities.
Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC): Autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), focused on Indian Sign Language research and training.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): Department under the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Indian Sign Language (ISL): The sign language used in India.
New Delhi: Location of the National Workshop and India International Centre; Union Territory, India.
Shri Rajesh Aggarwal: Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).
Gallaudet University, USA: University in United States for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing.
National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), Kerala: Institution involved in Deaf education.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
ISLRTC to organize National Workshop on ‘Best
Practices for Teaching English to Deaf Students
Using Indian Sign Language’, on 10th - 11th July
2025 in New Delhi
First-ever Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE)
programme on using Indian Sign Language to teach
English to Deaf Students
Posted On: 09 JUL 2025 3:56PM by PIB Delhi
The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), an autonomous body under the
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment, is organizing a National Workshop on ‘Best Practices for Teaching English to Deaf Students
Using Indian Sign Language (ISL). The two-Day offline workshop would be held on 10th–11th July 2025 at
the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. It will be inaugurated by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary
(DEPwD).
This is the first-ever Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) programme on using Indian Sign Language
to teach English to Deaf Students, and it represents a significant milestone in advancing academic strategies
for Deaf education. The initiative seeks to identify effective pedagogical approaches for improving English
literacy among Deaf students of Diploma in teaching Indian Sign Language (DTISL) course and other Deaf
individuals who face challenges in reading and writing. Insights generated during the programme will
contribute to the future revision of the Basic English Part 1 and 2 modules of the DTISL curriculum.
The workshop will bring together renowned national and international resource persons, including:
Dr. Sibaji Panda, Founder & Director, Happy Hands School for the Deaf; ex-Founder, ISHARA
(cid:108)
Foundation (now non-operational); researcher in English literacy for Deaf students
Shri Sunil Sahasrabudhe, Senior Consultant, expert in bilingual education for the Deaf with 20+
(cid:108)
years of experience
Shri Rajesh Ketkar, Senior Consultant, MBM News and Orjet Foundation; former Director,
(cid:108)
ISHARA Foundation, Gujarat
Shri Hari Hara Kumar, Deaf Enabled India, Hyderabad; 15+ years of work in English literacy and
(cid:108)
employment under DEPwD initiatives
Ms. Sharayu Kadam, Associate Coordinator, English Development Program, TEACH, Mumbai;
(cid:108)
experienced across multiple education boards
Ms. Chithra Prasad, NISH, Kerala; 15+ years of experience in Deaf education
(cid:108)
Mr. Abbas Ali Behamanesh, English and ASL Educator, Gallaudet University, USA (joining
(cid:108)
online)
The sessions will include presentations, interactive discussions, live demonstrations, and group activities,
promoting exchange of ideas among ISL instructors, Master Trainers from National Institutes/Composite
Regional Centres under DEPwD, English teachers from Deaf schools, and representatives from NIOS,
NCERT, and other institutions.The programme highlights ISLRTC’s commitment to enhancing inclusive and quality education for the Deaf
community and strengthening collaborative strategies to improve English literacy outcomes through Indian
Sign Language.
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(Release ID: 2143408)