Shivani Thakur
Published on: May 3, 2022 at 16:04 IST
The Supreme Court has issued Notice in a Plea seeking directions to provide Sign Language Interpreters during the press briefings by Ministers.
According to the Petitioner, access to Sign Language is the Basic Human Right of the deaf people and is also the key to breaking down communication barriers and participating in society just like anyone else.
The Petition has stated that the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 unequivocally prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, which includes failing to provide meaningful access to public benefits, programs, or services.
Further, it has been argued that Section 42 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, it is the duty of the appropriate Government to provide facilities including sign language interpreters for persons to make information and communication accessible to this Section of people.
According to the Petitioner, with no sign language interpreters several thousands of hearing and speech impaired are denied an opportunity to understand on a real time basis any communications from the Chief Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu, especially about the pandemic.
A Bench comprising Justice Abdul Nazeer and Justice Vikram Nath has issued the direction in Public Interest Litigation filed seeking directions to have in-frame Sign language Interpreter in all the Official Press briefings conducted by the Government in accordance with the Act, 2016.