40-Hour Mediation Training For Hearing And Speech-Impaired Professionals Will Bolster Inclusive Justice: MP Chief Justice

In a landmark initiative towards ensuring inclusive access to justice, the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority conducted a five-day, 40-hour mediation training programme for hearing and speech-impaired professionals and sign language interpreters from March 14 to 18, 2026, at Indore.

The valedictory session was held on March 18, 2026, at Committee Hall No. 1 of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in the presence of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Patron-in-Chief, MPSLSA; Justice Vivek Rusia, Executive Chairman, MPSLSA; and companion judges. Companion judges from the Indore and Gwalior Benches attended the programme virtually.

The session commenced with a presentation highlighting the five-day training programme. Participants shared their experiences, followed by reflections from Anuja Saxena and Reema Bhandari, Senior Trainers, Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee, Supreme Court of India.

In his valedictory address, Chief Justice Sachdeva underscored that the true essence of justice lies in its accessibility to every individual. He observed that communication barriers often hinder access to justice and that such initiatives help bridge these gaps.

He further remarked that mediation is not confined to verbal communication but is rooted in understanding, sensitivity, and trust. Appreciating the determination of the participants, he noted that no barrier can impede progress when there is strong resolve. He emphasized that the programme marks the beginning of a more inclusive approach to dispute resolution.

Justice Vivek Rusia, Executive Chairman, MPSLSA, stated that mediation is a process based on understanding, empathy, and mutual trust. He described the initiative as a pioneering effort to integrate hearing and speech-impaired individuals into the mediation framework and make justice delivery more inclusive.

The training programme covered key aspects of mediation, including communication and negotiation skills, ethics, and practical simulation exercises, with emphasis on adapting techniques through sign language and visual communication tools.

The initiative marks a significant step towards promoting inclusive mediation practices and ensuring accessible justice delivery for persons with disabilities.

On the occasion, Dharminder Singh, Registrar General, Madhya Pradesh High Court; Umesh Pandav, Director, Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy; Suman Shrivastava, Member Secretary, MPSLSA; Arvind Shrivastava, Additional Secretary, MPSLSA; and Aniruddha Jain, Deputy Secretary, MPSLSA, were present. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Suman Shrivastava.