5th IPSL Workshop

We were very pleased to be able to organise the 5th IPSL workshop at DU on 29th Jan, Friday. AS usual, we had HUGE gathering and finally ran out of space! First we had a presentation by Dharmesh Kumar on Deaf Education and about his own MA research at UCLAN. There were questions by Babloo and Upandra and an observation by me. IN between Sibaji expanded further on the various topics by showing some demos. Babloo asked about the exact situation in 1885 in Calcutta when the Deaf SChool there was set up and also about the work of JN Banerjee that Dharmesh had referred to. Upendra asked a very relevant question about the use of web-based Deaf Education for poorer countries where 90% of the population do not have internet access. My comment was in line with this question, but first I pointed out the nice point about need for “Reflexivity” in social science research and especially within the context of deaf education. However, finally, the research work must be put to use so that more and more people can benefit from it.

After this, we had a very nice film shown on Deaf issues that are so current and relevant. We enjoyed it very much and most of us were able to relate to various important issues that we re raised. However, for me, the final message of the film was very very relevant, which was to appeal to all the different deaf organisations to come together and demand their rights, the rights of deaf persons to education and to language. I think there is a great need to follow this advice and respond to it. At this nascent stage of disability movements in our country, we can only benefit hugely by coming together.