Friday, March 31, 2023
  • English
  • Marathi
No Result
View All Result
Daily PRABHAT
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • National
  • International
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • More
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Technology
    • Science
Daily PRABHAT
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • National
  • International
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • More
Home National

SC issues notice to Centre, States on plea for sign language interpreters in official press briefings

by
11 months ago
in National
A A
SC issues notice to Centre, States on plea for sign language interpreters in official press briefings
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and States on a plea seeking direction to the governments to provide sign language interpreters in all the official press briefings conducted by the government.

A bench of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Vikram Nath asked the governments to file their responses on the PIL.

“Issue notice,” stated the bench in its order on Friday.

The PIL, filed by disability rights activist and advocate M Karpagam, stated that all the press briefings held in India are neither inclusive nor accessible. It argued that irrespective of the fact that these press briefings serve to be an important way to create awareness and education for the general public about the various developments in the country.

The petition sought that official press briefings conducted by the Prime Minister, other Ministers of the Union government, Chief Ministers of all the States and other Ministers of the State government, should provide an “in-frame sign language interpreter”, in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

It is said that sign language is the bridge that connects other people to the world of those who have an impaired hearing or verbal disability.

The plea stated, “For persons with hearing impairment, access to sign language is key to breaking down communication barriers and participating in society just like anyone else.”

With regards to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister, Health Minister and the Health Secretary had a daily presence on the television, said the plea, adding that all these news briefings did not provide in-frame sign language interpreters even during the peak of the pandemic where information was essential.

The plea contended that countries around the world, including the US and the UK, have consistently held it necessary to make available in-frame sign language interpreters during press briefs, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Karpagam said she interacted with many hearing-impaired persons and they have expressed difficulty in understanding the news briefings conducted by the Centre and various state governments.

The absence of sign language interpreters in such situations impedes the access of the hearing-impaired to a government program or benefit, thereby rendering them to be treated in an “inequitable” manner and establishing their lack of meaningful access to such programs and/or benefits, said the petition. (ANI)

ShareTweetSendShareSend

Latest News

“Action will be taken,” says Goa tourism minister after Dutch tourist stabbed by hotel staffer

Woman kidnapped, gang-raped in car in Bengaluru, 4 arrested

Punjab: BSF foils contraband smuggling attempts in Amritsar and Tarn Taran, recovers over 2 kg heroin

ITBP jawans are symbols of bravery, perseverance, says Mansukh Mandaviya in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli

Judgement “bizarre,” Lokayukta losing its credibility: Congress’ Satheesan on fund ‘misuse’ case against Kerala CM

President Droupadi Murmu meets makers of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’

Ishita Dutta, Vatsal Sheth announce pregnancy with adorable pictures

Sri Lanka miss out on direct World Cup qualification after defeat against New Zealand

The leading Ed-Tech firm, Hike Education plans to double its workforce in the next 6 months

Experience the future of social networking with AICIC – India’s revolutionary app

New Delhi [India], May 3 (ANI): The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Centre and States on a plea seeking direction to the governments to provide sign language interpreters in all the official press briefings conducted by the government.

A bench of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Vikram Nath asked the governments to file their responses on the PIL.

"Issue notice," stated the bench in its order on Friday.

The PIL, filed by disability rights activist and advocate M Karpagam, stated that all the press briefings held in India are neither inclusive nor accessible. It argued that irrespective of the fact that these press briefings serve to be an important way to create awareness and education for the general public about the various developments in the country.

The petition sought that official press briefings conducted by the Prime Minister, other Ministers of the Union government, Chief Ministers of all the States and other Ministers of the State government, should provide an "in-frame sign language interpreter", in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

It is said that sign language is the bridge that connects other people to the world of those who have an impaired hearing or verbal disability.

The plea stated, "For persons with hearing impairment, access to sign language is key to breaking down communication barriers and participating in society just like anyone else."

With regards to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister, Health Minister and the Health Secretary had a daily presence on the television, said the plea, adding that all these news briefings did not provide in-frame sign language interpreters even during the peak of the pandemic where information was essential.

The plea contended that countries around the world, including the US and the UK, have consistently held it necessary to make available in-frame sign language interpreters during press briefs, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Karpagam said she interacted with many hearing-impaired persons and they have expressed difficulty in understanding the news briefings conducted by the Centre and various state governments.

The absence of sign language interpreters in such situations impedes the access of the hearing-impaired to a government program or benefit, thereby rendering them to be treated in an "inequitable" manner and establishing their lack of meaningful access to such programs and/or benefits, said the petition. (ANI)

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • National
  • International
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Business
  • More
    • Health
    • Lifestyle
    • Technology
    • Science