200 hearing-impaired people clamour for rights
The group had listed down a charter of demands, the most important among them being that the institution hardly ever relayed information in sign language.
About 200 people sat on a hunger strike outside Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, (AYJNIHH) in Bandra on Thursday. This is the fourth protest launched by the hearing-impaired in a year. Protesters complained that the insititute's director Ashok Sinha has not responded to the letter submitted to him on February 17.
The group had listed down a charter of demands, the most important among them being that the institution hardly ever relayed information in sign language.
Researcher Punit Gupta, who champions the cause of the hearing-impaired community, said, "If the institute is for the hearing-impaired, it should provide them with the requisite facilities. The management has not introduced courses for them. Their demands have not been addressed, too. No skill development programmes have been launched to further their career prospects."
Human rights activist Umakanta Ray, who also supports the community's cause, said, "Everyone should be given a basic education as without it community members will not get jobs. The central and state governments have neglected the demands of the hearing-impaired community. If the chairperson is for the community, why is he silent on these pressing issues?"
One of the protesters also weighed in on the situation. "We are not informed about jobs, self-employement workshops and new courses introduced at the institute." Another protester said, "A hearing-impaired person who wants an appointment for an audiogram is asked to wait for two months. Even on the day of the appointment, the person is told to come back later. Even if the appointment is fixed, the ear moulds take another two months to arrive."
Protesters were quick to point out that the DTP course is the only course available, despite there being eleven other courses. This apart, the courses are not updated. Protesters also demanded that certificates be made available under one roof. Currently, a hearing-impaired person has to visit a hospital to obtain a disability certificate.