India

The First India Deaf Expo

By Madan Vasishta

First it was an impossible dream then a crazy idea and now it is a fait accompli. The Deaf Expo was a brainchild of CB Murali a deaf leader in Coimbtore and Alok Kejriwal, a businessman in Mumbai. First, the term “expo” is a misnomer. It was actually a conference with the usual exhibition section that goes with any conference. So, we will call it a “conference.”

The first international conference and expo was held in Coimbtore in south India from January 5 to 7. The conference was first scheduled to take place in the summer of 2006 then in December 2006. The change in dates resulted in reduced attendance.

About 400 deaf people from India and several other countries attended the conference. About 30 papers were presented in the following strands: Education, technology, rehabilitation and employment, speech development and social and cultural aspects.

There were no breakout sessions. All presentations were held in the same auditorium. A keynote speaker led the theme presentation followed by other presenters.

The main problem with presentations was the limited time allotted for each topic. Questions and answers had to be curtailed due to a very tight schedule. The other problems was interpreting. The few interpreters assigned were very good from Indian standards, but inadequate for an international conference. There was an International Sign Language interpreter from Holland. He did an excellent job trying to interpret using American, International and Indian signs. I am sure the Indian interpreters learned a lot by just watching him.

The evening cultural program presented by Indore School for the Deaf were very good. It would have been a good idea to have cultural programs from several different schools.

However, like any deaf conference or meeting, the main attraction was ‘getting together.” Deaf people of all ages were talking up a storm from early morning to late at night. It was nice seeing deaf people from Calcutta exchanging ideas with those from Baroda or Rajasthan. Someone wondered if there should be a conference without an agenda that allows deaf people to congregate and simply talk. Not a bad idea!

Ms. Raageshwari, a Bollywood star and singer, acted as valedictorian for the closing ceremonies. She can fingerspell and sign some and amazed everyone by signing her speech. Having a famous person signing on a stage is what India needs. This was a first and it will help change people's attitude toward sign language.

This was the first national deaf conference organized by deaf people in India, therefore, a great achievement. The main reason for its success was the professional organizers loaned out by Mr. Manikham, an industrialist and the patron for the conference. These professionals worked behind the scenes and made sure everything was well organized. Our thanks to Mr. Manikham for loaning them to the event.

Like any conference, this one had its flaws, however, keeping in mind that this was the first of its kind in India, we cannot focus on them. Let us just congratulate its organizers, They worked hard and pulled out a successful conference despite skepticism expressed from all corners.

News and Events

First National Conference of the Deaf in India

The DEEDS Foundation and Gallaudet University are collaborating in sponsoring the first national conference on deaf education and empowerment in Mumbai in June 2009. Dr. Madan Vasishta, vice president of PIE, is helping organize this conference and is working closely with both organizations.

The theme of the conference is “Empowerment through Education.” India is a rising country and is finally realizing that there are untapped resources among disabled people, including the deaf. These resources need to be developed and the key to their development is education.

According to UNESCO figures, less than 10% of India's deaf people attend a school. Most of these children live in urban areas. Since India is 70% rural, most deaf people do not have access to appropriate education. One of the goals of this conference is to help find ways to spread education in rural areas.

Dr. Asiah Mason is coordinating the conference on behalf of Gallaudet University and hopes that this pioneering effort will result in similar national conference being held in collaboration with Gallaudet University in other Asian and African countries.

PIE is excited about this conference and will provide support for it through Dr. Vasishta.