We, the members of the Deaf community, together with our families, allies, supporters, concerned citizens, and national and state Deaf organisations, submit this petition seeking urgent and meaningful action to protect, promote, and enforce the rights of Deaf persons across India.

The Constitution of India guarantees equality before the law, equal protection of the laws, non-discrimination, equality of opportunity in public employment, protection of life and personal liberty, access to education, equal justice, and the State's duty to promote the educational and economic interests of weaker sections of society.

Further, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (RPwD Act) was enacted to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Act guarantees equality and non-discrimination, reasonable accommodation, inclusive education, non-discrimination in employment, equal opportunity policies, accessibility, access to transportation, access to information and communication technology, reservation in employment, and measures to promote and facilitate the use of Indian Sign Language, particularly for Deaf communities.

India's obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) include ensuring equality and non-discrimination, accessibility, freedom of expression and access to information, inclusive education, the right to work and employment, and full and effective participation in political, public, cultural, and social life for persons with disabilities, including Deaf persons.

Our Issues

Despite the constitutional and statutory protections available under Indian law, Deaf communities across India continue to face significant and systemic barriers in accessing education, healthcare, employment, public services, justice, transportation, emergency communication, digital platforms, and government welfare schemes. Communication barriers remain widespread, and Indian Sign Language (ISL) is still not consistently recognised or provided as a language of access, instruction, and communication across public institutions and essential services.

The petitioners further submit that the representation of Deaf persons in decision-making bodies, advisory committees, educational institutions, and policy forums relating to Deaf rights, Deaf education, accessibility, and Indian Sign Language remains inadequate. Policies and programmes that directly affect the Deaf community should be developed, implemented, monitored, and evaluated with meaningful participation and leadership of Deaf persons and their representative organisations. Deaf-led representation is essential to ensure authenticity, accountability, and the effective implementation of laws, policies, and programmes intended to safeguard the rights and interests of the Deaf community.

This petition is made on, inter alia, the following grounds:

This petition is based on the following constitutional, statutory, and international grounds:

A. Right to Equality, Dignity, and Non-Discrimination - The Constitution of India and the RPwD Act, 2016 guarantee equality, dignity, reasonable accommodation, and protection against discrimination for Deaf communities.

B. Right to Inclusive Education and ISL - The RPwD Act mandates inclusive education, promotes Indian Sign Language (ISL), and requires appropriate modes of communication and qualified ISL teachers for Deaf learners.

C. Right to Employment and Equal Opportunity - The RPwD Act prohibits discrimination in employment, provides for reasonable accommodation, equal opportunity, and reservation for eligible Deaf communities.

D. Right to Accessibility - The RPwD Act requires accessible transportation, public services, information and communication technology, and access to information through Indian Sign Language interpretation, captioning, and other accessible formats.

E. International Obligations under the UNCRPD - As a State Party to the UNCRPD, India is obligated to ensure equality, accessibility, inclusive education, employment, access to information, and full participation of Deaf persons in all aspects of society.

Our Demands 

In view of the constitutional guarantees under the Constitution of India, the provisions of the RPwD Act 2016, and India's obligations under the UNCRPD, we respectfully pray that the Government of India, the DEPwD, the MSJE, and all concerned Ministries, Departments, statutory bodies, and State Governments take the following actions:

1. Ensure Deaf Leadership and Representation in ISLRTC, at least 60% of leadership and decision-making positions in the Executive Council Committee, General Council Committee, and key administrative and academic posts must be Deaf. 
   
   
2.  Create Employment Opportunities for B.Ed, D.Ed. & DTISL - Trained Deaf Persons from ISLRTC, National Institutes (NIs), and Composite Regional Centres (CRCs) through dedicated recruitment, placement, and career advancement programmes.
   
   
3. Ensure at Least 50% Deaf Representation in RCI Bodies dealing with Deaf education, Indian Sign Language, curriculum development, and policy-making.
   
   
4. Strengthen Deaf Education Across India by recruiting more Deaf teachers, promoting Indian Sign Language as a medium of instruction, and conducting a nationwide survey of Deaf schools and educational resources.
   
   
5. Ensure Effective Implementation of Employment Reservation for Deaf communities in all government establishments without discrimination in recruitment, promotion, or service conditions.
   
   
6. Ensure to explicitly include Deaf Indian Sign Language People in the identification of the job list (not merely on the basis of hearing impairment). 
   
   
7. Provide Fair and Transparent Support to Deaf-Led Organisations / companies through equitable funding, grants, partnerships, and government programmes.
   
   
8. Extend Equal Railway Concessions and Transport Benefits to Deaf communities on par with other persons with disabilities.
   
   
9. Guarantee Accessible Public Services and Digital Inclusion by providing Indian Sign Language interpretation, captioning, and accessible communication across all public services and digital platforms.
   
   
10. Strengthen Enforcement of Disability Rights Laws by ensuring full implementation, monitoring, and accountability under the Constitution, the RPwD Act, 2016, and the UNCRPD.

We will submit this petition in the spirit of constitutional equality, social justice, and the principle that no decision affecting the Deaf community should be made without the meaningful participation of Deaf persons themselves.

Nothing About Us Without Us.