Cabinet to consider proposal for national sign language institute

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet is likely to discuss tomorrow a proposal for setting up of a national institute for sign language, which would focus on research and training.

According to official sources, the proposal to establish Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre in Delhi would be put forth by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Proposed at a cost of Rs 20 crore, the institute would be engaged in standardisation of sign language in the country, offering courses in sign language, conducing research and imparting training.

Though a national institute for hearing impaired is already functioning in Mumbai, the proposed institute would exclusively focus on sign language, the sources said.

If approved, it would be the eighth national institute of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in the country, the sources added.