SHI: A Call for Equal Opportunities for Speech and Hearing Impaired

SHI Individuals Struggle for Equal Opportunities

14-year-old Rahul Rajak is a Speech and Hearing Impaired (SHI) individual studying at the Chandra Bhushan Singh Memorial Speech & Hearing Institute in Delhi. Rahul is one of millions of speech and hearing-impaired individuals across India who navigate a world that often overlooks their unique needs. His mother, Devika Rajak, describes the daily challenges they face. "Due to Rahul’s condition, I cannot let him travel alone," she says, expressing concern for his safety.

Despite being eligible for a disability pension of ₹2,500 in Delhi, Rahul has not received this financial support. “He gets ₹600 in the village, but here in Delhi, the disability pension is ₹2,500. His certificate is not from Delhi, so we don’t get the pension here,” says Devika. The family is currently unable to access the pension they are entitled to, as Rahul’s disability certificate is issued in their home state of Madhya Pradesh.

Additionally, the local authorities have failed to provide Rahul with a free bus pass, forcing the family to pay for transportation that should be free for him. "My ticket is free, but Rahul's ticket costs ₹10 from here and ₹10 from there, totaling ₹20 per day," says Devika. Despite having a disability certificate, Rahul has been denied the bus card necessary for free travel.

“The authorities asked us to bring proof of residence in Delhi, but we don’t have those documents,” Devika explains. She has visited the bus depot three times, but each time, the staff has refused to issue the pass. "What should I do? I am very disturbed," she says, expressing frustration at the lack of support.

Bureaucratic Disconnect and Complicated Processes

Rahul’s struggles are not unique. Saira Begum, a staff member at the Chandra Bhushan Singh Memorial Speech & Hearing Institute, notes that many speech and hearing impaired individuals face similar obstacles. According to Saira, local authorities often fail to recognise Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards issued in other states, creating unnecessary hurdles for individuals who are entitled to concessions.

"Here, we have DTC. If they want to travel, their bus pass can be made for just ₹30 a year. However, we've seen

SHI Individuals Struggle for Equal Opportunities

14-year-old Rahul Rajak is a Speech and Hearing Impaired (SHI) individual studying at the Chandra Bhushan Singh Memorial Speech & Hearing Institute in Delhi. Rahul is one of millions of speech and hearing-impaired individuals across India who navigate a world that often overlooks their unique needs. His mother, Devika Rajak, describes the daily challenges they face. "Due to Rahul’s condition, I cannot let him travel alone," she says, expressing concern for his safety.

Despite being eligible for a disability pension of ₹2,500 in Delhi, Rahul has not received this financial support. “He gets ₹600 in the village, but here in Delhi, the disability pension is ₹2,500. His certificate is not from Delhi, so we don’t get the pension here,” says Devika. The family is currently unable to access the pension they are entitled to, as Rahul’s disability certificate is issued in their home state of Madhya Pradesh.

Additionally, the local authorities have failed to provide Rahul with a free bus pass, forcing the family to pay for transportation that should be free for him. "My ticket is free, but Rahul's ticket costs ₹10 from here and ₹10 from there, totaling ₹20 per day," says Devika. Despite having a disability certificate, Rahul has been denied the bus card necessary for free travel.

“The authorities asked us to bring proof of residence in Delhi, but we don’t have those documents,” Devika explains. She has visited the bus depot three times, but each time, the staff has refused to issue the pass. "What should I do? I am very disturbed," she says, expressing frustration at the lack of support.

Bureaucratic Disconnect and Complicated Processes

Rahul’s struggles are not unique. Saira Begum, a staff member at the Chandra Bhushan Singh Memorial Speech & Hearing Institute, notes that many speech and hearing impaired individuals face similar obstacles. According to Saira, local authorities often fail to recognise Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards issued in other states, creating unnecessary hurdles for individuals who are entitled to concessions.

"Here, we have DTC. If they want to travel, their bus pass can be made for just ₹30 a year. However, we've seen cases where SHI individuals with UDID cards from states like Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh are denied passes because their cards are not from Delhi," says Saira. This bureaucratic disconnect forces individuals to go through excessive paperwork and face unnecessary delays.

Saira questions the logic behind such policies: “If the UDID card is mandatory and they already have one, why are they being denied? Whether it’s from Gujarat, MP, or UP, they should be able to access the benefits.” She adds that the denial of benefits, even with a valid UDID card, raises concerns about the fairness of the system.

Challenges Faced by Speech and Hearing-Impaired Individuals in Delhi Highlight Systemic Gaps

Access to Facilities Remains a Struggle for the Differently-Abled. 

The hurdles faced by SHI individuals in Delhi are far-reaching, with administrative roadblocks depriving them of essential services and benefits. Ajay Kumar, a speech and hearing-impaired individual, describes his daily commute as fraught with difficulties. "First, I take the metro. After the metro, I take the bus in the evening and go to Sector 105. When my stop is about to come, I am unable to communicate with my fellow passengers or the conductor" he explains.

Ajay also faces financial difficulties when using public transportation. "When I give money to purchase the ticket; if I give ₹30, I don’t get the change back," he adds, highlighting the daily frustrations he encounters in accessing basic services.

Digitisation Complicates Disability Support Systems

While digitisation was intended to simplify access for the differently-abled, it has instead introduced new complications. Nitin Kumar, a trainer for speech and hearing-impaired individuals, notes that the transition to the Unique Disability ID (UDID) system has created additional barriers. "The government has upgraded the disability certificate to something named the Unique Disability ID card. This was supposed to help streamline the process, but the shift to online systems has complicated things," Nitin explains.

Previously, obtaining a disability certificate was a relatively straightforward process. Parents would take their child to a district hospital, show the necessary documents, and within a week, a certificate would be issued. "But since the government has introduced UDID applications, the process has become online. Children have to register first, and many cyber café workers lack knowledge about the specific disabilities these children face," Nitin elaborates.

Additionally, limited access to these online registration facilities is another challenge. "At many hospitals, there's only one day assigned for disability certificates. If the doctor is on leave or there’s a holiday, the process gets delayed, causing even more frustration for families," Nitin says. He advocates for making the process more accessible at the block level or through Anganwadi or ASHA workers in villages to ease the burden on families.

Despite the numerous obstacles, Ajay Kumar remains determined to advocate for equal rights and opportunities for SHI individuals. "In the future, I want to set a good example within the deaf community. They should receive equal opportunities, as they often don’t get jobs because people say we cannot read and write," Ajay says, reflecting on the discrimination many in the community face.

He also stresses the need for better pay and opportunities in the workforce. "When I go for a job, the salary is so low, and we have to spend our lifetime with that. I want our salaries to not be so low. The government should upskill members of the SHI community," he states.

Ajay also calls for changes in government policies to make it easier for the differently-abled to access education and employment. "The government should increase our age limit slightly. Government exams like SSC have specific rules and criteria, such as the 12th pass requirement, which should be changed for us because we finish our schooling late in life because of the challenges we face to get special educators. So, the government should also be more flexible with the age limits at which we can join the workforce," asserts Ajay. 

The Unfulfilled Promise of Accessibility for Specially-Abled Individuals in India

India's Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, promises accessible services and communication support for individuals with disabilities, including the provision of sign language interpreters. However, despite these legal provisions, the implementation of these services remains largely ineffective, and the rights of those with speech and hearing disabilities continue to be neglected.

According to Nitin Kumar, the government has issued clear policies to ensure the availability of sign language interpreters in public and private sectors. He explains, “The government has said that sign language interpreters must be available in all public and private offices. If a sign language interpreter is present, they can help resolve the problems faced by children with speech and hearing disabilities.” However, Kumar points out a severe gap between policy and practice. “If you visit any railway station, you will notice there are no sign language interpreters, despite the existing provisions.”

The lack of such services means that individuals with hearing impairments struggle to communicate in vital public spaces, such as railway stations, where simple queries about train schedules or personal matters remain unaddressed. Kumar emphasises, “If a child with hearing impairment travels to a station, there should be a sign language interpreter to assist them. Without this, how will they communicate their needs or concerns?”

The Challenges in Special Education in Schools

While there has been an increasing recognition of the importance of special education, challenges persist within India's educational system. The availability of special educators, especially in private institutions, remains limited, affecting the quality of education for students with special needs. Many government schools have special educators, but private schools often fail to provide the necessary support, leaving specially-abled students at a disadvantage.

Kumar notes, “The reality is that many private schools in Delhi do not have special educators. Even when special needs students are enrolled, there is a severe lack of training for teachers to address their specific needs.” He adds, “How can teachers, who lack a background in special education, effectively educate students with disabilities? The ground reality does not align with what is promised on paper.”

Saira Begum further highlights the issue, particularly within government schools. While special educators are present, she points out a major issue with class sizes. "When a class has 60 students, it is difficult for a special educator to give individual attention to each child. If a student has a hearing disability or needs a hearing aid, the teacher cannot pay attention to the unique needs of these children,” says Begum. 

The Government’s Failure to Fulfill Disability Employment Reservations

Section 34 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, mandates a 4% reservation for people with disabilities in government jobs. However, this provision has also proven ineffective, as the government fails to conduct examinations to fill these vacancies.

Nitin Kumar highlights the discrepancy between the law and its execution, citing the 2022 vacancy for Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) for special educators in Delhi. Despite a declared need for 364 positions, Kumar explains, “The exams have still not been conducted as of December 2024. While the government promises to provide such opportunities, they have failed to follow through on filling these vacancies.”

This inaction leaves students with disabilities without the necessary support in their education and careers. “The government talks about providing a lot of facilities, including vacancies, but in practice, they do not conduct exams,” Kumar points out. As a result, students with disabilities face an uncertain future, as they are denied the opportunities they are entitled to under the law.

Employment Challenges for SHI Individuals

In India, employment opportunities for speech and hearing-impaired individuals remain scarce. Shubham Jain, a speech and hearing-impaired individual, shares his struggle of finding employment. He points out that not only he but many others in the SHI community are facing difficulties in securing jobs.

Jain, speaking through an interpreter, says, “There are so many Deaf individuals who are not getting jobs. Encouraging them to pursue employment is necessary. We need more government jobs and increased opportunities in the private sector. Deaf individuals should not feel they are lacking in confidence or capabilities.” Jain stresses the importance of teaching and supporting the community, urging that more exams be offered to help them get jobs in various positions across sectors.

In India, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, is primarily responsible for ensuring the welfare of speech and hearing-impaired individuals. The ministry’s goal is to create an inclusive society, offering equal opportunities for disabled individuals by building an environment that caters to their needs.

We have sent a detailed questionnaire to the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment regarding the challenges faced by speech and hearing-impaired individuals. We will update this article once we receive a response from the ministry.

Pursuing Dreams Beyond Barriers

Despite the systemic challenges, many speech and hearing-impaired individuals are determined to break barriers and achieve their dreams. Nayeem Gulzar, another individual from this community, shared his passion for football and his aspiration to represent India on the national team.

Nayeem, who communicates through an interpreter, explains, “Yes, I have been playing football. I stopped playing when I joined Samarthanam, but I will start playing again once I get back. I have never played with other Deaf individuals; I’ve always played with hearing people.”

When asked about his achievements in the sport, Nayeem proudly states, “Yes, I have won three gold medals. Our team of 24 players participated in state and national-level tournaments. We even traveled abroad to compete internationally.” He adds with determination, “Football is a game that relies on vision; you just have to watch and play. My aim is to wear India’s jersey one day. I want my name to be at the top of the list on the Indian team’s jersey. I want to play for India.”