Sign language is an essential communication tool for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) community worldwide, with an estimated 63million people in India alone experiencing significant hearing loss. Despite this sizable community, accessibility in sectors like education, healthcare, and corporate workplaces has been limited due to a lack of support for Indian Sign Language (ISL). However, recent efforts by the government and advocacy organizations are bringing ISL to the forefront, creating an unprecedented opportunity to foster inclusion and accessibility.
Here, we examine how ISL can be a transformative addition to education, healthcare, the corporate sector, media, and hospitality in India, backed by statistics that reveal its impact and importance.
1. Education
Education is a fundamental right, but for many DHH students in India, limited resources in ISL hinder their access to quality education. Studies reveal that only about 2% of children with disabilities in India attend school, with a significant number of them being DHH (UNICEF, 2019).
- Digital Learning Platforms: With India’s e-learning industry projected to reach $10 billion by 2025 (RedSeer Consulting,2020), incorporating ISL into platforms like Byju’s and Unacademy could ensure that DHH students are included in this digital education boom.
- Teacher Training Programs: The Rehabilitation Council of India(RCI) and organizations like the National Association of the Deaf(NAD) have highlighted the need for trained ISL teachers, with only 250 certified ISL teachers in a country of 1.4 billion people(RCI, 2021). This shortage emphasizes the need for ISL training in teacher education programs.
- Curriculum Development: Encouraging ISL as part of mainstream curricula can foster inclusivity. A recent survey found that 78% of hearing people felt sign language should be a part of school curricula to create a more inclusive society(NAD, 2021).
2. Healthcare
Navigating healthcare can be complex and daunting for DHH individuals, often due to communication barriers. Studies reveal that 95% of DHH patients have experienced miscommunication with healthcare providers (National Deaf Children’s Society, 2020).
- Hospital Staff Training: India’s healthcare system employs over 3.1 million nurses and allied health professionals (MoHFW,2021), yet very few are trained in ISL. Basic ISL training for frontline healthcare staff could significantly improve care quality and patient trust.
- Telemedicine: The COVID-19 pandemic spurred a 200% increase in telemedicine services in India (NITI Aayog, 2021),yet few platforms offer DHH-friendly features. Implementing ISL interpretation in telemedicine can address this gap and provide DHH patients with equal access.
- Emergency Services: Studies show that 1 in 5 DHH patients faced difficulties in accessing emergency care due to communication barriers (NAD, 2021). Training emergency responders in ISL could be lifesaving, particularly in high-stress situations.
3. Corporate Sector
Corporate inclusion of DHH individuals remains low in India. According to the 2020 census, only 0.1% of DHH individuals are employed in formal sectors, despite research showing that diverse teams drive innovation and engagement (NSSO, 2020).
- Recruitment: A Deloitte study suggests that inclusive hiring can increase productivity by 30% (Deloitte, 2020). Actively recruiting DHH employees and ensuring ISL resources during interviews can widen the talent pool and foster an inclusive environment.
- Workplace Inclusivity: A recent survey found that 87% of corporate employees believe ISL should be promoted in workplaces to foster inclusion (PwC, 2021). This demonstrates a growing acceptance of the need for ISL training within organizations.
- Customer Service: With over 63 million DHH individuals in India, training customer service representatives in ISL could improve customer experience, expand market reach, and enhance brand loyalty.
4. Media and Entertainment
The media and entertainment industry, valued at $24 billion in India, has a unique role in promoting social norms and inclusivity (FICCI,2021). However, accessible content for DHH viewers is still scarce, with less than 10% of content on popular platforms offering subtitles or ISL interpretation (CRISIL, 2021).
- Accessible TV and Online Streaming: Adding ISL interpreters or captions to OTT content could help millions of DHH viewers access media on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime.
- Inclusive Advertising: Over 85% of consumers say they prefer brands that promote inclusivity (Nielsen, 2020). Incorporating ISL in advertising not only attracts DHH viewers but also establishes brands as leaders in inclusivity.
- Events and Theatre: In India, live events and theatres are gradually beginning to include ISL interpreters. With DHH-friendly experiences, these sectors can better engage with the DHH community, whose spending power in India is estimated at over INR 200 billion annually (NAD, 2021).
5. Hospitality and Tourism
India’s rich cultural heritage and tourism industry stand to gain by making destinations accessible to DHH tourists. An estimated 10 million DHH individuals in India travel domestically every year, but alack of accessibility options limits their experience (India Tourism Report, 2021).
- ISL Training for Frontline Staff: Training hospitality employees in basic ISL can create a welcoming environment for DHH travelers, with 78% of travelers with disabilities indicating they would spend more on destinations with accessible services(World Tourism Organization, 2020).
- Tour Guides and Museums: Adding ISL-trained guides or videointerpretation options in museums and tourist attractions couldenhance engagement for DHH visitors, contributing to aninclusive tourism experience.
- Customer Feedback Systems: Using ISL-based feedback options in hotels and tourist destinations can give DHH travelers a platform to share experiences and influence service improvements.
Conclusion
Incorporating Indian Sign Language across sectors has the potential to revolutionize accessibility in India, creating a more equitable society. From fostering inclusivity in education and healthcare to opening doors for DHH professionals in corporate settings, the opportunity to adopt ISL offers numerous benefits. With over 63million DHH individuals in India, the adoption of ISL is both a societal obligation and a business opportunity.
Investing in ISL is a path to empowering millions and unlocking the potential of an underrepresented community. By embracing ISL, India can take strides toward building an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their hearing ability, can participate fully and equally.
