School Education Minister Launches Mizo Standard Braille Contraction and Standardized Indian Sign Language Video

The School Education Minister, Dr. Vanlalthlana, inaugurated the Mizo Standard Braille Contraction and a video using Indian Sign Language for 365 Mizo terms. The event, organized by SCERT, was held at the SCERT Auditorium in Chaltlang.

While addressing the gathering, Dr. Vanlalthlana expressed gratitude towards SCERT’s experts and contributors for their commitment to advancing educational tools for the differently-abled. He emphasized that this initiative is a significant milestone for Mizoram, enhancing accessibility and learning for visually impaired and hearing-impaired students. The Minister further highlighted the state government’s efforts, in line with NEP 2020, to prioritize inclusive education and cater to the needs of the differently-abled. Among these efforts are the installation of wheelchair-accessible railings in many schools to ensure equal opportunities for all students.

The event was chaired by SCERT Director Pi Caroline Zoramthangi, who expressed her appreciation to all attendees. Joint Director Pi Zoramthangi provided a detailed report on the creation of the Braille Contraction and the ISL video. The event also featured special performances by students from Ephatha Special School for the Deaf, Redeem Garden School, and the Special Blind School, Durtlang.

State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), Pi Vanlaldiki Sailo, praised the initiative, noting that sign language inclusion is essential given the high number of differently-abled individuals in India. She mentioned that the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) has already certified seven sign language professionals.

The development of Mizo Standard Braille Contraction involved contributions from dedicated individuals such as Commissioner Lalkiamlova and Pu Lalbuatsaiha, Assistant Professor at J. Thankima College. The initiative ensures that Mizo Braille users can now utilize Braille efficiently with standard guidelines.

The sign language video, created in alignment with NEP 2020, features 365 Mizo terms and is available on the SCERT official YouTube channel. This will serve as a valuable resource for both educators and learners, fostering greater inclusivity and understanding among students with disabilities.