Issue #0

Indian Sign Language Dictionary

Qty: 2

Plot

Every institution has, rather should have, a philosophy. For, it is philosophy that motivates and enables institutions to stand the test of time.
The more universal and humanistic the philosophy, the more dynamic, multidimensional and longlasting the institution and its activities. Because, an institutions activities are but concrete forms of its philosophy.

Service to all living beings in every possible way is one of the best means for achieving social prosperity, serf-fulfillment and spiritual joy-this is one of the principal dictums of the philosophy of the Ramakrishna Mission. On such a philosophy has the Ramakrishna Mission built its services ranging from the spiritual to the academic to the earthquake relief to the ehabilitation of the disabled, Without considering the religion, language, colour or purse of the beneficiaries.

Profound thoughts such as these from Swami Vivekananda are also the basis of the activities of the International Human Resource Development Centre for the Disabled (IHRDC) run by the Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Coimbatore. Theintegrated education services offered for the visually impaired by the Vidyalaya since 1980 aimed at elevating in all Walks of life theusefulness and dignity of persons with such a disability. Later on, the Vidyalaya Went a step forward to extend it service in a small Way to the hearing impaired also. We have demonstrated that persons with disabilities are in no Way inferior to the non-disabled persons. The IHRDC, which is the logical outcome of our services to the visually and hearing impaired, relives that comprehensive services need to be provided under one roof for persons with any form of disability. Braille book production, speech therapy and sign language training, production of artificial limbs, education and training for the mentally retarded, self-employment training for all categories of disabled persons, high-tech computer training for the blind, etc., reveal the comprehensive approach of the Center. All these activities are for bringing out the human possibilities of persons with disabilities. Besides training and service, research and development is an integral aspect of the Centre. Need-based research activities that are beneficial for persons with disabilities are the priorities of the Centre, and the development of the Indian Sign Language Dictionary is one such need-based research activity. The dictionary will provide an opportunity for the hearing-impaired in the country to improve their communication skills and also lead them towards their empowerment in society. The Centre propose to develop similar dictionaries in the technical fields too.

This is just a beginning, and there is a long way to go.