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URGENT IMPORTANT!!!
MASSIVE RALLY IN DELHI ON DECEMBER 3RD WORLD DISABILITY DAY
Letter to all orgs of the Deaf & Disabled download

The issue that is today burning in our hearts is the issue of the implementation of the 11th plan. The issue of the deaf which had been for so long neglected has finally been addressed to a degree I had not thought possible even 5 years ago. It was a dream to achieve this level of support in a govt. document. My friends the dream to have the support in writing of the Govt has come true. There is a specific paragraph in the section on disability in the 11th plan which specifically addresses the needs of the deaf and proposed measures to resolve long standing issues. Education, sign language, TV Captioning, Colleges being the key issues mentioned.

The only thing left now is the implementation. You all know far better than me how there is “many a slip between cup and lip” and, for all that it has been written down, it may never see fruition and never come to pass. It is this that we wish to ensure and in fact enforce.

The implementation of the 11th Plan and its provisions are the ONE POINT DEMAND on which we wish to storm Delhi on the World Disability Day. We want and need and wish to claim your support.

ASLI is a newly formed organization to represent the Interpreters for the deaf in India. The deaf community of India has not had a formal interpreting organization until now. The concept of sign language interpreting as a professional service for deaf persons has yet to take hold in India. The apex organizations for the deaf are already campaigning for this to take place.

There is a lot that ASLI will be doing to support and enable the local organization of the deaf. You have already been working in interpreting albeit with or without formal training for some time now. All persons who have been serving the deaf community selflessly for years by providing interpreting services will now have ASLI to support them in their endeavors by building awareness of the need for interpreters and advocating the need for linguistic access for deaf persons.

ASLI intends to work closely with apex organizations of the deaf to create a post of interpreter in the govt. this will give our profession the much needed stature. There is a great need for interpreters in the country and the activities of deaf organisations everywhere are stagnating because of the lack of interpreting services. Deaf sign users in the community are unable to access even basic services. ASLI will endeavor to increase awareness of the general population and the govt. , provide specialized training,  a formal and non-formal certification system and a greater visibility for interpreters at a national level.