Ever since the coronavirus outbreak, various platforms have appeared to disseminate information and alerts. However, there barely exists any platform for people who are deaf or hear of hearing in the Indian Sign Language (ISL).
Silvy Maxi Mena, an English teacher at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH), and Vinayachandran BS, a freelance ISL interpreter, are providing live updates about coronavirus through NISH Tvm, a YouTube channel available under the centre for communication and media development category of the institute.
The news website which commenced last month caters to the needs of people who are deaf by providing them with the latest updates of coronavirus pandemic and the current status of the pandemic in the world.
“Before the lockdown, the regional news channels used to carry bulletins in Indian sign language with the help of interpreters. But, due to the lockdown and mobility restrictions, the facility had to be temporarily stopped which resulted in the deaf community not getting any information.” said Silvy
