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Panaji, Oct 12 (IANS) To create accessible, inclusive and empowering pathways for persons with disabilities to learn and grow on both national and international platforms, three transformative initiatives were unveiled on the second day of the International Purple Fest here, an official said on Sunday.
Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPWD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, shared information on these initiatives, the official said in the statement.
These initiatives include the launch of IELTS Training Book for Persons with Disabilities; Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – Successful conduct of Certification in ISL Interpreting (CISLI)/Skills course for SODA (siblings of Deaf adults) and CODA (children of Deaf adults) and launch of a special basic training program on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL) by Indian Sign Language Research and Training Center (ISLRTC).
The October 9-12 event is the first festival of its kind in India that celebrates persons with disabilities, the statement said.
The first major launch at the fest was the IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities, developed by Believe in the Invisible (BITI) with the support of DEPWD.
Written by Anjali Vyas, co-founder of BITI and British Council-certified IELTS trainer, this handbook is the first of its kind inclusive resource designed to make IELTS preparation for persons with disabilities (PWDs) accessible, structured and learner-friendly.
Serving as both a self-study guide for learners and a teaching manual for instructors, the publication addresses the challenges faced by individuals with visual, auditory, locomotor and other disabilities in accessing standard IELTS resources.
It provides reasonable accommodation guidelines, customized strategies and practical tools for each of the four IELTS modules – listening, reading, writing and speaking – the statement said.
ISLRTC announced that it successfully conducted the Recognition (RPL) – Certification in ISL Interpretation (CISLI)/Skills Course for SODA (Siblings of Deaf Adults) and CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) in offline mode from 11 to 29 August in Delhi.
A total of 17 candidates appeared for the assessment, all of whom successfully completed the course. The grades were awarded based on their performance and the certificate distribution ceremony for this first batch will be launched on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the statement said.
In response to the growing need for Indian Sign Language professionals to gain international exposure, ISLRTC also announced the launch of a special basic training program on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL). One month (4 weeks) physical training program at ISLRTC, New Delhi commencing from 3rd December.
–IANS
RCH/PGH