Three landmark initiatives to make learning and communication more inclusive for persons with disabilities were launched at the International Purple Fest in Panaji, marking a significant step towards accessible education and skill development. The announcements were made on the second day of the event by Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), Government of India, according to a release from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Expanding access to learning and communication
The new initiatives aim to strengthen accessibility in listening, reading and writing for persons with disabilities. Officials present at the launch included Taha Haaziq, Secretary to the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Goa; Richa Shankar, Deputy Director General; Praveen Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director, ALIMCO; and Kumar Raju, Director, Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC).
According to the ministry, these efforts reflect the government’s continued commitment to creating a barrier-free learning ecosystem and empowering persons with disabilities to participate fully in education and professional life.
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Inclusive IELTS handbook launched
The IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities was among the major announcements. Developed by Believe in the Invisible (BITI) with support from DEPwD, the handbook is authored by BITI Co-Founder and British Council-certified IELTS trainer, Anjali Vyas. It is the first comprehensive resource designed to make IELTS preparation accessible, structured and learner-friendly for persons with visual, hearing, locomotor and other disabilities.
The handbook serves as both a self-study guide and a teaching resource. It offers adapted strategies for each of the four IELTS modules – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking – along with practical tools, accessible practice materials, and guidance on grammar, vocabulary and time management. The resource also includes Indian Sign Language (ISL) video links and lesson plans tailored for diverse learners.
The ministry said this initiative represents an important move towards inclusive global language training, aligning with BITI’s mission to promote awareness about invisible disabilities and universal accessibility in education.
New certification and international training in sign languages
The second major development came from the ISLRTC, which announced the successful completion of its Recognition of Prior Learning – Certification in ISL Interpretation (CISLI) and Skill Course for Siblings of Deaf Adults (SODA) and Children of Deaf Adults (CODA). The training was conducted in offline mode from August 11 to 29, 2025, at ISLRTC, New Delhi, under the Skill Training Initiative of DEPwD.
Seventeen participants from across India completed the course, with certificates to be awarded on December 3, 2025, coinciding with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. ISLRTC also unveiled a Specialised Basic Training Programme on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL). The four-week physical training will commence on December 3 at ISLRTC, New Delhi, introducing participants to the fundamentals of ASL and BSL – including grammar, syntax and vocabulary and enhancing professional opportunities for Indian interpreters abroad.
