MPSLSA Organises One-Day Programme For Children With Hearing And Speech Impairment

The programme aimed to empower adolescents with knowledge, skills, confidence and awareness to navigate social, emotional, digital and academic challenges through accessible and sign-language-inclusive learning.

The day-long programme featured interactive sessions on legal rights and access to justice, emotional well-being, creative opportunities, parental empowerment, career guidance, prevention of violence against children, sign-language-based group activities, digital safety and cyber awareness.

Delivering the keynote address, Justice Alpesh Y. Kogje, Chief Justice of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and Patron-in-Chief, MPSLSA, congratulated the children on completing the programme and appreciated the platform provided to them to share their experiences and aspirations.

The Chief Justice emphasised that an apparent limitation should not be allowed to define a person's ability or potential. He observed that the fact that one person can presently perform a particular task which another cannot does not necessarily signify an inherent deficiency. He encouraged the children to move beyond perceived limitations with determination, disciplined habits and confidence in their own capabilities.

Justice Vivek Rusia, Administrative Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh and Executive Chairman, MPSLSA, highlighted MPSLSA's continuing efforts towards facilitating education, employment opportunities, access to justice and communication support for persons with hearing and speech impairment.

Referring to concerns raised by the participants, Justice Rusia emphasised that such issues should be appropriately taken up with the concerned Government authorities for facilitating possible solutions.He also highlighted the role of trained sign-language interpreters in making legal and dispute-resolution processes accessible.

Referring to an instance from Gwalior, Justice Rusia spoke about a hearing and speech impaired couple whose matrimonial dispute was resolved through mediation with the assistance of trained interpreters. Following their reconciliation, livelihood support was also facilitated through the establishment of a café at the High Court campus at Gwalior, which the couple is successfully operating.

Justice Vivek Agarwal, Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, emphasised that children with hearing and speech impairment should be treated as an integral part of society and included as friends and equals in common activities to promote their holistic development and an inclusive society.

He stressed the importance of early identification and intervention in cases of hearing impairment so that advancements in technology and available support mechanisms can be effectively utilised.

Justice Agarwal also emphasised skill development and self-reliance, observing that the interests and aptitude of children should be identified and supported through appropriate training and opportunities, opening avenues for employment and independent livelihood.

Encouraging the children, he stated that they have every right to give new flight and new dimensions to their dreams, and that society must become a partner in enabling them to realise those aspirations.

Another highlight of the special session was the unveiling of the video “Meri Awaaz Suno”, followed by the felicitation of outstanding active participants.

The programme reflected MPSLSA's endeavour to integrate access to justice with inclusion, accessible communication, education, skill development, digital safety and livelihood empowerment for children with hearing and speech impairment.

Shri Krishnamurthy Mishra, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Jabalpur; Shri Umesh Pandav, Director, Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy; officers of the Judicial Academy; and officers and officials of MPSLSA were also present.

The programme was conducted by Shri Aniruddha Jain, Deputy Secretary, MPSLSA, and Shri Pradeep Thakur, District Legal Aid Officer, MPSLSA. Ms. Suman Shrivastava, Member Secretary, MPSLSA, proposed the vote of thanks.