The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is organizing a National Workshop on ‘Best Practices for Teaching English to Deaf Students Using Indian Sign Language (ISL). The two-Day offline workshop would be held on 10th–11th July 2025 at the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi. It will be inaugurated by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary (DEPwD).

This is the first-ever Continuing Rehabilitation Education (CRE) programme on using Indian Sign Language to teach English to Deaf Students, and it represents a significant milestone in advancing academic strategies for Deaf education. The initiative seeks to identify effective pedagogical approaches for improving English literacy among Deaf students of Diploma in teaching Indian Sign Language (DTISL) course and other Deaf individuals who face challenges in reading and writing. Insights generated during the programme will contribute to the future revision of the Basic English Part 1 and 2 modules of the DTISL curriculum.

The workshop will bring together renowned national and international resource persons, including:

• Dr. Sibaji Panda, Founder & Director, Happy Hands School for the Deaf; ex-Founder, ISHARA Foundation (now non-operational); researcher in English literacy for Deaf students
• Shri Sunil Sahasrabudhe, Senior Consultant, expert in bilingual education for the Deaf with 20+ years of experience
• Shri Rajesh Ketkar, Senior Consultant, MBM News and Orjet Foundation; former Director, ISHARA Foundation, Gujarat
• Shri Hari Hara Kumar, Deaf Enabled India, Hyderabad; 15+ years of work in English literacy and employment under DEPwD initiatives
• Ms. Sharayu Kadam, Associate Coordinator, English Development Program, TEACH, Mumbai; experienced across multiple education boards
• Ms. Chithra Prasad, NISH, Kerala; 15+ years of experience in Deaf education
• Mr. Abbas Ali Behamanesh, English and ASL Educator, Gallaudet University, USA (joining online)

The sessions will include presentations, interactive discussions, live demonstrations, and group activities, promoting exchange of ideas among ISL instructors, Master Trainers from National Institutes/Composite Regional Centres under DEPwD, English teachers from Deaf schools, and representatives from NIOS, NCERT, and other institutions.

The programme highlights ISLRTC’s commitment to enhancing inclusive and quality education for the Deaf community and strengthening collaborative strategies to improve English literacy outcomes through Indian Sign Language.

*****

VM

(Release ID: 2143408)