Together for a World Where Deafness is No Barrier to Progress
Founded with a mission to empower the Deaf community in India, the Signing Hands Foundation is committed to providing Education, Accessibility, Awareness, and Empowerment for individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Our holistic and sustainable interventions in these areas aim to address deep-rooted development problems and build capacity for marginalized communities.
We work to identify potential solutions and create awareness about Deafness and Indian Sign Language (ISL), enabling individuals to lead independent lives through education and personal development. With access to international expertise and strong partnerships, we strive to deliver outcomes at scale and ensure the empowerment and inclusion of the Deaf community within society.
SIGNING A BETTER FUTURE
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in India face numerous challenges that impede their access to education, employment, and independence. A major obstacle to their inclusion is the lack of accessibility in the education system, which makes it difficult for them to learn and progress academically. To address this problem, the Signing Hands Foundation was founded with the mission of providing accessible education to the Deaf community through the use of technology and sign language.
Our ISH Shiksha program offers online education to the Deaf & Hearing community in India, while ISH Kids provides accessible resources for all children. These transformative programs help to bridge the communication gap between the Deaf and Hearing communities.
Despite these efforts, many Deaf individuals in India struggle with language acquisition due to a lack of guidance from parents and other factors. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 63 million people in India with significant auditory impairment, which places the prevalence at 6.3% of the population. This highlights the urgent need for early intervention and accessible education to ensure that children with hearing loss have the same opportunities as their peers.
The large percentage of children between the ages of 0 to 14 years who suffer from severe to profound hearing loss is particularly concerning. It underscores the importance of providing accessible education and resources to this vulnerable group of individuals. Bridging the gap between the Deaf and Hearing communities is crucial in creating an inclusive society and promoting productivity for all individuals.
In conclusion, the challenges faced by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in India must be addressed to create a more equitable society for all. Through the efforts of organizations like the Signing Hands Foundation and increased awareness and support from the broader community, we can promote accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with hearing loss in India.