In keeping with the spirit of the International Day of Sign Languages and the International Week of Deaf People, the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of Goa, and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (SCPwD), in association with the Goa Association of the Deaf, are organising an observance of the International Day of Sign Languages 2026 in Goa from 27 September 2026.
The programme seeks to bring together the Deaf community, students, educators, government representatives, civil society organisations and members of the public to celebrate sign language while creating greater awareness about Deaf identity, communication rights and inclusion.
A significant component of the celebration will be the participation of students from various schools across Goa. Their involvement is intended to introduce young people to the importance of Sign Language and to encourage greater understanding of the experiences of Deaf persons. Among the activities being organised is a poster competition focused on Deaf awareness and Sign Language, providing students with an opportunity to express their understanding of inclusion, accessibility and communication through art and creativity.
The participation of schoolchildren is particularly meaningful. Awareness about disability and inclusion, when introduced at an early age, can help shape a generation that is more empathetic, respectful and accepting of diversity. Activities such as poster competitions allow students to look beyond disability as a limitation and understand the importance of removing the social and communication barriers that prevent people from participating equally.
Through their artwork and ideas, students can explore important messages: that Sign Language is a language; that Deaf people have the same rights and aspirations as everyone else; that communication accessibility is an essential part of inclusion; and that society has a shared responsibility to ensure that Deaf people can participate fully in education, employment, public life and community activities.
Strengthening Education and Opportunities for the Deaf Community
Goa has also been taking important steps towards creating educational opportunities in the field of Indian Sign Language (ISL). The Diploma in Teaching Indian Sign Language (DTISL) course at the Composite Regional Centre (CRC), Goa, commenced in September 2024 with 10 students enrolled in its first batch.
The first batch, 2024–2026, has now completed the two-year course, with 9 students successfully completing the programme and 1 student dropping out. All students from the first batch have received their results. Some of the students who have completed the course have also enrolled for further studies in the IDBA, thereby continuing their academic and professional development in the field.
The second batch, 2025–2027, commenced in October 2025 with 8 students and has completed its first year (Term 1). The admission process for the third batch, 2026–2028, is presently underway.
The progress of these batches represents an important development in strengthening the availability of trained persons in the field of Indian Sign Language. It also demonstrates the growing opportunities for Deaf persons and others interested in ISL to pursue formal education and develop professional skills. The transition from education to practical experience is equally significant. One student who has completed the DTISL course has joined the Gujarati Samaj Educational Society for a three-month internship as a Deaf teacher, where the student will teach Indian Sign Language. Such opportunities help translate classroom learning into meaningful professional experience while also creating greater visibility and participation of Deaf persons as educators and contributors.
The CRC, Goa, is also in the process of expanding its services, with additional clinical services expected to be introduced in the coming months. The strengthening of educational, professional and clinical services can contribute towards a more comprehensive support system for persons with disabilities and the Deaf community.
The association with the Goa Association of the Deaf further reinforces the principle of meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in matters concerning their lives. The Deaf community must be recognised not merely as beneficiaries of programmes, but as active partners, contributors and leaders in the process of building an inclusive society.
Goa as a Platform for International Deaf Participation
Goa is also set to become a platform for international dialogue and participation on issues concerning the Deaf community. The Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities are organising an international-level Deaf Conference and Youth Camp in Goa from 5 October to 11 October 2026.
The programme is expected to see participation from representatives of 17 countries and will provide a platform for interaction, knowledge-sharing and dialogue on a range of issues concerning Deaf persons and the Deaf community. Various conferences and thematic programmes are proposed as part of the initiative, including a Women’s Conference, Language Conference, Interpreter Conference and Deaf Conference, among other programmes.
The international gathering will provide an opportunity for participants from different countries and backgrounds to exchange experiences, discuss emerging issues and explore approaches towards strengthening communication accessibility, education, leadership, employment and participation of Deaf persons.
The participation of young people will also be an important component of the initiative. A Youth Camp at an international level can provide young Deaf persons with opportunities to interact with peers, develop leadership skills, share experiences and engage with wider discussions on their rights, identity and aspirations.
Together, these initiatives demonstrate the importance of creating spaces where Deaf persons are not only included as participants but are also given opportunities to contribute their knowledge, perspectives and leadership.
The initiative also provides an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the Deaf community and the wider society. Celebrating Sign Language should not be limited to a single day or week. It should encourage sustained efforts to make public spaces, institutions and services more communication-accessible.
The Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Office of the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities remain committed to promoting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and to strengthening awareness of the principles of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. In the case of Deaf persons, this commitment includes recognising the importance of accessible communication and creating an environment where Deaf citizens can exercise their rights without facing unnecessary communication barriers.
The celebration in Goa is therefore envisioned not simply as an event, but as a platform for awareness, participation, expression and dialogue. By bringing together students, the Deaf community, government institutions and society at large, the initiative seeks to build greater understanding and encourage a culture in which Sign Language is respected and Deaf people are able to participate on an equal basis. The observance of the International Day of Sign Languages reminds us that inclusion begins with the ability to communicate and to be heard whether through spoken words, written communication, technology or sign language.
For Deaf people, Sign Language is not merely a method of communication. It is language, identity, culture and an important means of exercising their rights. As Goa observes the International Day of Sign Languages and the International Week of Deaf People, the message must extend beyond the celebrations. It must find expression in our schools, government offices, hospitals, workplaces, public services and communities.
The involvement of young students is especially significant because the inclusive society of tomorrow is being shaped by the attitudes we nurture today. When children learn to respect Sign Language and understand Deaf culture, they become ambassadors of inclusion within their families, schools and communities. The growth of educational programmes such as the DTISL course, the emergence of trained Deaf teachers, opportunities for further studies and internships, and the expansion of services at CRC Goa are important steps towards building greater opportunities for the Deaf community. At the same time, international platforms such as the forthcoming Deaf Conference and Youth Camp can help create wider dialogue and strengthen connections between Deaf communities across countries.
The celebration is therefore an invitation to everyone in Goa to learn, to understand, to communicate and to include.
Let us move towards a Goa where a Deaf child can learn without communication barriers, where a Deaf citizen can access public services with dignity, where a Deaf professional can participate fully in the workplace, and where Sign Language is recognised and respected as an essential part of an inclusive society.
Let us celebrate Sign Language not only on 23 September, but by making communication accessibility a part of everyday life.Let us declare, recognise and uphold the human rights of Deaf people not merely in words, but through meaningful action.
AIDS & ASSISTIVE DEVICES DISTRIBUTION CAMP HELD AT PM DIVYASHA KENDRA
As part of the birthday celebrations of Prime Ministe, Narendra Modi, an Aids and Appliances Distribution Camp was organised at the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK) at Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim, providing essential assistive devices to persons with disabilities and senior citizens from across the State. The camp received an overwhelming response, with more than 100 beneficiaries from different parts of Goa receiving a range of aids and appliances, including wheelchairs, walking sticks, hearing aids and other assistive equipment.
The distribution camp was inaugurated by the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Guruprasad R. Pawaskar, in the presence of Medical Superintendent, Goa Medical College, Dr. Rajesh Patil, Rajils Raveendran ER, (Officer Audiologist) Ravikumar Barela (Prosthetist &Orthotist) and Rajkishor Dalai (EDP).
The camp was organised by the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, through the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra at GMC.
Speaking on the occasion, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Pawaskar said: “On the occasion of the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we recognise the sustained focus during his tenure on the empowerment, dignity and inclusion of persons with disabilities through improved accessibility, assistive technology and rehabilitation support. In Goa, the Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra at Goa Medical College is helping translate this commitment into tangible support, with more than 15,000 beneficiaries receiving aids and appliances worth approximately ₹3.20 crore over the last two years. From artificial limbs and motorised wheelchairs to hearing aids, walkers and smart canes, these interventions are enabling greater mobility, independence and participation. Today’s distribution camp reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that such support reaches persons with disabilities and senior citizens in a timely and accessible manner, strengthening our collective endeavour to build a more inclusive society.”
