The Nagaland State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities today celebrated International Day of Sign Language at Old NST parking, Kohima with the theme “A world where deaf people everywhere can sign anyway”.
“Sign language is an incredible and often overlooked form of communication that bridges the gap. It transcends boundaries and empowers individuals in unique ways,” said Special Guest, Diethono Nakhro, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities stated highlighting the need for sign language education and use of sign language. With sign language understood very poorly in the State, Nakhro stated, there is still so much misunderstanding and misconception of disability.
Emphasising on the need and the significance of learning sign language, Nakhro remarked that no one has to live in world where one cannot get the right to information, where one cannot talk with anyone or where one is made fun of because they cannot understand other people or find it difficult to talk.
“We all have to pay attention, we all have to learn. We cannot keep on ignoring this language. We need to ensure that sign language is taught in the schools and in the classrooms,” asserted Nakhro adding sign language needs to be embraced and integrated in all aspects of society from schools and work places to public spaces and various kinds of public events and media.
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“Disability is just a part of human diversity we are all made differently, we all have different abilities so why is it shameful to have a disability, why is it shameful to be a disabled person, why are parents and families hiding or keeping their family members who have disability in secret?” questioned the State Commissioner asserting that Disability does not make a person lesser human.
Nakhro further contended, “Deaf doesn’t mean that you have to live in isolation that you have to be cut off from the rest of the world. We have this amazing language, it’s such an amazing language whereby people of all the hearing abilities can communicate.”
Earlier, Chumbeni Ovung highlighted the importance of sign language.The program was hosted by Kanovili Yeptho and the invocation was pronounced by Arep Tzüdir, Youth Director Ao Baptist Church, Kohima.
