BASIC INDIAN SIGN LANGUAGE (ISL) COURSE ON THE PM e-VIDYA DTH ISL CHANNEL NO. 31

The rationale behind the Basic Indian Sign Language (ISL) Course on the PM e-Vidya DTH ISL Channel No. 31 is rooted in the need to bridge communication gaps and foster inclusivity for the Deaf community in India. Despite the recognition of ISL as a medium of instruction under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, and its promotion through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there remains a significant knowledge gap regarding ISL among the general population, educators, and public service professionals. By offering an accessible and widely available platform for learning ISL, the proposed course will address the pressing communication barriers faced by the Deaf community. It empowers educators, families, and service providers with essential skills to communicate effectively with deaf individuals, promoting a more inclusive society where the needs of all citizens are recognized and met.

This initiative is a step toward creating an equitable educational environment, in line with the NEP 2020’s vision for inclusive and accessible education. The NCERT-developed ISL course aims to teach fundamental skills, enabling broader awareness of ISL and creating a societal shift toward respect, understanding, and integration of sign language. By making ISL learning available through a dedicated TV channel, the course ensures that people from different backgrounds, including teachers, students, and families, can access high-quality educational content in a convenient, user-friendly format. Ultimately, this initiative helps remove communication barriers, facilitating greater participation of the Deaf community in all aspects of society and contributing to a truly inclusive India.

Objectives

After completion of the training series, the learner will be able to:

1. Understand Deaf culture, emphasize the significance of ISL, and highlight the rights of Deaf individuals as integral members of society
2. Greet and initiate day-to-day conversation in Sign language
3. Share daily routine, everyday items, food items, people and relations in sign language 
4. Describe colour, Shape and size of objects in sign language
5. Encourage the incorporation of ISL into mainstream education, workplaces, and public services to build a more inclusive environment
6. Motivate participants to advance their ISL knowledge and skills beyond the basic level, encouraging them to make a deeper social impact by fostering inclusivity

Who Can Participate?

Anybody and everyone interested in learning about basic Indian Sign Language can participate without any prior experience.