Plea seeking sign language interpreters during press briefings by ministers, the Supreme Court issues notice

The Supreme Court in the case M Karoagam vs Union of India & Or’s issues notice to provide sign language interpreters during the press briefings by Minister in a plea by a disability rights activist seeking directions.

The petitioner in the plea stated speech impaired are denied an opportunity to understand on a real time basis any communications from the Chief Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu, especially about the pandemic, its safety measures, lockdown guidelines etc and with no sign language interpreters several thousands of hearings.

Further it was argued that the opportunity to access information, analysis, and update themselves of the many developments that takes place in the State, they are also being denied.

Access to sign language is the basic human right of the deaf people and is also the key to breaking down communication barriers and participating in society just like anyone else, stated by the petitioner and as per section 2016 Act unequivocally prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities, which includes failing to provide meaningful access to public benefits, programs, or services. The Section 42 of the 2016 Act, in particular provides, that it is the duty of the appropriate government including the Union and/or the State Government to provide facilities including sign language interpreters for persons with hearing and speech impaired to make information and communication accessible to this section of people, it was argued by the petitioner in the plea.

The bench comprising of Justice Abdul Nazeer and the Justice Vikram Nath observed and issued the directions in accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 to have in-frame Sign language interpreter in all the official press briefings conducted by the Prime Minister, other Ministers of the Union Government, Chief Ministers of all the States and other Ministers of the State Government in the Public Interest Litigation filled.

Further the Petitioner stated that though the guidelines from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting was to provide sign language interpreter once daily in news channels even after that many news channels fail to follow the said guidelines in letter and spirit

A visually impaired woman advocates practicing at the High Court of Madras, The Petitioner M Karoagam and was being was represented through Advocate Nupur Kumar, Advocate Prabhakaran, and Advocate Balamuki S.