Currently, channels under the Prasar Bharati, including DD News, DD Bharati and DD Urdu broadcast some of their programmes in sign language, especially the Republic Day parade
Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot has written to his counterpart in the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Smriti Irani, to help formulate a policy so that private news channels can devise ways to display sign language to enable the disabled. Currently, channels under the Prasar Bharati, including DD News, DD Bharati and DD Urdu broadcast some of their programmes in sign language, especially the Republic Day parade.
In the letter, which was sent last week, Gehlot said that the draft policy should come up with a set of guidelines under which private channels that broadcast news and even entertainment programmes should adapt ways of using sign language. "The move will help millions of disabled people in the country," Gehlot added.
Gehlot's letter comes about five months after both the ministries announced an inter-ministerial panel to draft a set of guidelines for state-run channels to broadcast all programme material with sign language, including closed text and on-screen interpreters. During a meeting, held on June 14 this year which comprised officials from both the ministries, officials from Doordarshan, and disability rights experts, it was decided that all state-run channels will implement the move by December this year.
India — home to over 2.68 crore disabled people according to the 2011 Census — amended the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 to include over 14 new types of disabilities. India became a signatory to the United Nations Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2007.
Dr Indumathi Rao of the CBR Network says that there is also a need to ensure that regional texts are included in these policies. "Millions of disabled people have to depend on others to access news. On-screen text, that carry a gist of the programme is also helpful," said Dr Rao.
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