How to Learn Indian Sign Language

How to Learn Indian Sign Language

Indian Sign Language, popularly known as ISL, is an eloquent, expressive visual language used mainly among the deaf and speech-impaired community in India. A combination of hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements conjure up the emotions behind the communication. Learning ISL is not just a new skill, but a journey into inclusivity and emotions, which can actually enhance the manner in which people communicate. This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about ISL and how to learn it.

About Indian Sign Language

Indian Sign Language (ISL) is the system of communication developed for the Indian deaf and speech-impaired community. It is a very essential tool for the overcoming of communication barriers and promotion of inclusivity. ISL has been recognized by the Indian government as an official language. This language has its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary, not like the other spoken languages. ISL is used mostly by educational institutes, workplaces, and homes. It has taken a prominent place in empowering persons with speech and hearing impairments. More importantly, it represents an increasingly realized need for knowledge among professionals and individuals across professions.

Why Should You Learn ISL?

• Fosters Inclusiveness

Learning ISL creates a bond between the hearing-impaired and speaking-impaired world. It establishes an inclusive forum where everyone will have a voice and create equity in society.

• Promotes Cultural Sensitivity

Learning ISL will help understand and be a support system for differently abled people. It is an attempt to give respect to modes of communication across the board.

• Boosts Professional Development

ISL opens doors to new career opportunities. You could be a teacher, healthcare professional, or corporate employee. Knowing ISL will set you apart and show your commitment to inclusivity.

• Expands Communication Skills

Learning ISL enhances your ability to communicate through various mediums. You become an effective and versatile communicator.

Who Should Learn Indian Sign Language (ISL)?

• Corporate Professionals

With the stress being laid on diversity and inclusion, ISL training gets corporate professionals equipped to engage employees, customers, and clients more effectively from the deaf community.

• Teachers and Trainers

Teachers can use ISL to involve all students regardless of whether they are deaf, hearing-impaired, or mute, so nobody misses out.

• Healthcare professionals

Doctors, nurses, and other health professionals can learn ISL to communicate with their patients effectively who depend on this language for proper diagnosis and patient care.

• Interpreters

Interpreters are an important link between the ISL users and the hearing community. Those interested in becoming interpreters must be fluent in ISL.

• Persons with Disabilities (PWD)

Deaf or speech-impaired individuals can develop the ability to communicate and self-expression confidently by learning ISL.

• Family Members and Friends

Family members and friends of those who depend on ISL can strengthen their relationships if they learn the language, making communication easier.

How to Learn Indian Sign Language

1. Attend Indian Sign Language Workshop

Workshops are a practical learning experience. Participants are initiated into the fundamentals of Indian sign Language workshop and further skills are developed through interactive activities. These workshops are conducted by experts and organizations committed to empowering the deaf community.

2. Join Indian Sign Language Courses Online

ISL can be learned anywhere because online courses are available. The courses in platforms like Atypical Advantage  are categorized and designed based on the learning levels. Video lessons, quizzes, and downloadable materials supplement your learning.

3. Join Indian Sign Language Training Centers

ISL training centers seem to be an ideal proposition for all those who require direct classes for learning. Among those, one such Deaf Enabled Foundation center provides structured courses with personal attention from trainer experts. These centers also provide real practice of communication by practicing with other learners, which develops fluency and adds confidence.

Indian Sign Language Workshop for Corporates

Atypical Advantage is a platform that focuses on inclusivity and provides ISL workshops, especially for corporates. The company has specifically designed these workshops to make professionals more conversant in ISL, so they can communicate effectively with their deaf colleagues and clients. These are focused on practical applications: understanding workplace terminology in ISL and making a workplace more inclusive.

Corporate workshops are usually theoretical in nature and combine it with practical usage, which in turn makes the participants easily learn how to apply ISL in their lives.

Indian Sign Language Courses Online for Individuals

Learning ISL through online courses is a new way. The platforms where learners can follow their own schedules. Here is why online courses are a perfect choice:

• Online courses vary from simple signs to complex grammar that makes you completely up to date and informed.
   
• Courses can be followed anywhere, anytime. In case of students, this comes very handy because busy professionals may benefit the most.
   
• Videos are part of most courses to provide interesting features in quizzes or exercises.
   
• One can learn to effectively communicate using ISL skills sitting at the comfort of your house with online training courses.

Indian Sign Language Training Centers for Individual 

ISL Training Centers are where people learn from each other and in-person, so the most preferred choice of individuals who need direct training in face-to-face settings. Centers will offer:

• Training from professionals: Trainers with professional qualification, experience and who have thorough knowledge about Indian Sign Language.
   
• Interactive Practice: Interact with other learners to hone your skills in real-time situations.
   
• Structured Curriculum: Learn ISL step by step, from basic to advanced levels.
   
• The Deaf Enabled Foundation offers courses that are customized to the needs of each individual, thus allowing everyone to learn at their own pace.

Benefits of Learning Indian Sign Language

• Comprehensive Understanding of ISL

You will effectively understand and be able to communicate with this visual language by mastering ISL.

• Effective Communication

Break barriers and establish meaningful relationships with the deaf and speech-impaired community.

• Improve social connectivity

Learning ISL enables you to connect across different communities, thus keeping you inclusive.

• Expands career prospects

Understanding ISL can introduce you to the educational and healthcare sector as well as the field of interpretation and corporate training.

How Atypical Advantage Helps in Learning Indian Sign Language?

Atypical Advantage is aimed to empower people through giving them opportunities to learn or acquire resources while involving them in workshops and corporate programs intended to effectively equip them with the knowledge of ISL. Well-trained professionals using good module structures is how Atypical Advantage makes it easy for anyone.

Atypical Advantage is India’s largest livelihood platform for Persons with Disabilities(PWD). Whether it is a singer looking for a show, a visual artist looking to sell their paintings, or job seekers with disabilities looking for career opportunities, it bridges the supply & demand side inefficiencies so that Persons with Disabilities can earn a dignified income. We have a large pool of 25,000+ talents with disabilities and have worked with 350+ corporates within a short span of 4 years. We were also featured on Shark Tank Season 2 and were declared the winner of the prestigious the National Startup Award for Social Impact, and the National Award for Best Organization empowering persons with disabilities in 2024, conferred by the Union Government.