Awareness and Advocacy
With approximately 63 million people suffering from significant hearing impairment, deafness was found to be the second most common cause of disability and the most common cause of sensory disability in India by the 2002 NSS 58th round. It is common understanding that persons with disabilities suffer from hardships in every sphere of life. Hence, on the occasion of the International Week of the Deaf commencing 23rd September, also the International Day of Sign Languages, it is relevant to examine the laws pertaining to deafness in India.
Awareness
Being Deaf-Aware
Communication is an essential part of life, but Deaf and hard-of-hearing people are often cut off from many forms of communicating that hearing people rely on. This can be frustrating and isolating.
The odds are that, even if you are hearing, you know and regularly interact with someone who has a significant hearing loss. The World Health Organization estimates that about 466 million people around the world have significant hearing loss, and that by 2050, that figure will nearly double. That will mean that one in 10 people will have significant hearing loss in the next 30 years.
There are easy ways that each of us can be a little more Deaf aware. This ranges from knowing more about Deaf culture to supporting the equal access that many deaf and hard-of-hearing people fight for.
A first step is simply being attentive to the ways you can effectively communicate with someone who is deaf or hard-of-hearing. The most important, step in being deaf-aware is being open. With that attitude, you and the person you are communicating with will find the flow that works for you.
BASIC TIPS
Understanding Deafness
Deafness is a spectrum. If someone says they are deaf, they are not necessarily ‘profoundly deaf’ (meaning they can’t hear anything at all). They might not be able to hear anything at all, or they might be able to hear conversation fairly well, or any variation in between. Degrees of hearing loss vary dramatically from person to person. Some people may also wear hearing aids or cochlear implants.
Communication styles
Each deaf or hard-of-hearing person will also have different ways of communicating. They might include a sign language (of which there are many!), lip-reading, the use of an interpreter, a combination of all of these, or none of these. Some deaf or hard-of-hearing people might hear to a degree that they can listen to a conversation and respond directly.
Environmental factors might also come into play. It may be harder for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person to make out sounds and words in a noisy environment, so even if they can hear you in a quiet environment, they might need to use alternative communication methods in a noisier area.
Deaf as an identity
It’s also important to understand deafness as an identity. ‘Deaf’ with a capital ‘D’ refers to a cultural identity, which many people take pride in, while ‘deaf’ with a lower-case ‘d’ simply refers to a degree of hearing loss in practical terms. Many Deaf people do not consider deafness to be a disability, but some do.
The Signs that Someone Can’t Hear You
Often, you might not realize that someone is deaf or hard-of-hearing. Here are some signs that may help you notice. Someone may:
Ask you to repeat phrases or words
Seem confused while in conversation
Appear to be ignoring you
Pay close attention to your facial expressions
Communicate with hand gestures that you don’t understand
Be wearing a hearing aid or cochlear implant
Getting Someone’s Attention
If someone is deaf or hard-of-hearing, yelling “Hey you!” across a noisy room isn’t going to work. Neither is whistling. Of course, it’s also not likely to be a welcome greeting by anyone.
If you suspect someone is deaf or hard-of-hearing, you can move into their field of vision to get their attention. Alternatively, a friendly wave can let them know you are interested in a chat. Whichever way you choose, make sure you have a warm smile and are actively seeking eye contact.
Body Position is Important
Body positioning is also critical. Face the person, and, if at all possible, be at the same eye level. For example, stand if they are standing; sit if they are sitting. And don’t forget to make and maintain eye contact.
Speak in a Clear, UNexaggerated Way
Many deaf or hard-of-hearing people expend a lot of energy to communicate and follow conversations with hearing people. Lip-reading is one way a deaf or hard-of-hearing person may strive to keep up, but lip-reading is difficult. Even the best lip-readers on average understand only 30 per cent of what is being said. Add a mustache or accents, and lip reading becomes even harder.
Trying to exaggerate your words and drastically slow down the way you pronounce words does not help a deaf or hard-of-hearing person to understand you. It distorts the words and makes it much more difficult for someone to follow you.
Speak clearly, slowly and steadily. Don’t mumble, shout or exaggerate.
Be positioned with good lighting to allow the person to follow your lip movements.
Make sure your mouth is uncovered.
Use Simple Body Language and Visual Cues
When speaking, a few simple gestures can help you get your point across. Of course, don’t go overboard trying to mime every single word. This can come across as disrespectful, not to mention distracting.
Writing to Communicate
Also, don’t be afraid to use pencil and paper, or a text app on your phone, to supplement your communication if necessary. A deaf person may prefer writing, and it’s important to be flexible to each person’s needs.
Everyone is different
When in doubt of how best to communicate with someone who is deaf or hard-of-hearing, just ask the person for suggestions to improve communication! They want to communicate with you as much as you do and are working much harder.
Source: Tips for Being Deaf-Aware: Part 1, Part 2
MORE TIPS
Don’t Speak to the Interpreter
If a sign language interpreter is present, do not look and speak to them if you are communicating with the deaf or hard-of-hearing person.
Imagine if someone looked and spoke to someone else if they were addressing you! You would feel alienated and excluded. Remember, the interpreter is not the person you are communicating with.
The interpreter is an aid and serves as a representation of the deaf or hard-of-hearing person’s speech, not the person themselves.
Learn a Few Simple Signs
While you don’t need to be fluent in sign language, learning a few key phrases is helpful. This is especially helpful in customer service environments like being a server or working in retail or hospitality.
There are many resources to learn and practice the sign language that applies in your country. YouTube is a great resource for learning just a few helpful words and phrases. You can find short videos for American Sign Language (ASL) and ISL Sign Language (ISL).
Words to Use (and Not Use)
All communities have words that are considered rude or even derogatory.
People who consider themselves culturally ‘Deaf’ (spelled with an uppercase ‘D’) often use sign language and identify as members of the signing Deaf community. And as we mentioned in our last article, the word ‘deaf’ (spelled with a lowercase ‘d’) describes the physical condition of not hearing. It also refers to people who are physically deaf but do not identify as members of the signing Deaf community.
You can check with the person on how they identify and how they like to refer to their hearing loss. Culturally Deaf people often prefer not to be described as ‘hearing impaired’. It is perceived as clinical and negative. Hard-of-hearing people often do not like being identified as ‘deaf’. When it’s a group of people with a range of hearing loss, use more than one term. For example, “Deaf and hard-of-hearing people use captions.”
Something else to avoid is the phrase ‘Never mind’, or getting fed up. It’s dismissive. The deaf or hard of hearing person is trying to stay with you in the conversation and saying ‘never mind’ doesn’t give them a chance to communicate with you – not to mention that it’s disrespectful.
Many deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals often don’t rely on their voice as their primary form of communication, so hearing people might have some trouble understanding. Put judgement aside and pay close attention. Don’t comment on their ‘accent’.
Patience is a Virtue
Communicating with a hearing person can be daunting for a deaf or hard-of-hearing person and has the potential to cause some anxiety. Repetition and backtracking might be needed. Indicate that you’re patient and willing to learn. You may need to rephrase or find a different word.
As long as you smile, don’t yell, and maintain eye contact, you are establishing that you’re there for an open and trusting line of communication.
Important Observances
A comprehensive list of Disability Observances, check Disability Observance Date, Day, Week, Month, or Year section in Disability Inclusion.
World Hearing Day
World Hearing Day is held on 3 March each year to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness and hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the world. Each year, WHO decides the theme and develops evidence-based advocacy materials such as brochures, flyers, posters, banners, infographics and presentations, among others. These materials are shared with partners in government and civil society around the world as well as WHO regional and country offices.
At its headquarters in Geneva, WHO organizes an annual World Hearing Day event. In recent years, an increasing number of Member States and other partner agencies have joined World Hearing Day by hosting a range of activities and events in their countries. WHO invites all stakeholders to join this global initiative.
If you would like to receive updates and information about the World Hearing Day, you can register by sending an email to whf@who.int.
The WHO, on March 3 in 2007, observed World Hearing Day for the first time. In 2016, they decided to declare this day as World Hearing Day. It was known as International Ear Care Day before that. Communication is a fundamental human right and people with disorders and difficulties find it difficult to connect. Across the world, 360 million people suffer from disabling hearing loss. Educating people and teaching them about their rights will help them.
World Hearing Day 2017, DD News, 2017
Today is World Hearing Day and the theme is "Action for hearing loss: make a sound investment".
‘DD News’ is the News Channel of India's Public Service Broadcaster 'Prasar Bharati'.
World Hearing Day 2022: Theme: To hear for life, listen with care!
It is possible to have good hearing across the life course through ear and hearing care
Many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented, including hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds
‘Safe listening’ can mitigate the risk of hearing loss associated with recreational sound exposure
On World Hearing Day 2022, WHO focuses on the importance of safe listening as a means of maintaining good hearing across the life course.
WHO calls upon governments, industry partners and civil society to raise awareness for and implement evidence-based standards that promote safe listening
Hashtags: #safelistening #worldhearingday #hearingcare
Target Groups
Decision makers
Venue managers, and owners of entertainment venues
General public especially young adults
Launches
Global standard for safe listening entertainment venues
mSafeListening handbook
The mSafeListening handbook provides evidence-based message libraries for the promotion of safe listening behaviours and prevention of hearing loss. It includes guidance on how to develop, integrate, implement and evaluate a national mSafeListening programme.
Media toolkit for journalists
World Hearing Day 2021: Theme: Hearing Care for ALL! Screen, Rehabilitate, Communicate
World Hearing Day 2021 launched of the first-ever World Report on Hearing (WRH) The WRH has been developed in response to the World Health Assembly resolution (WHA70.13), adopted in 2017 as a means of providing guidance for Member States to integrate ear and hearing care into their national health plans.
Based on the best available evidence, this report presents epidemiological and financial data on hearing loss; outlines available cost-effective solutions and sets the way forward through ‘Integrated people-centered ear and hearing care’ (IPC-EHC). The report proposes a set of key H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions that must be delivered through a strengthened health system to realize the vision of IPC-EHC.
The WRH was developed in collaboration with experts and stakeholders in the field of ear and hearing care who informed the report’s strategic direction and ensured that it reflects a range of cultural contexts and approaches to hearing care. The report is global in its reach while keeping a special focus on low- and middle-income countries, where the number of people with hearing loss is not matched by the availability of services and resources.
Key Messages of 2021
For Policy Makers
The number of people living with unaddressed hearing loss and ear diseases is unacceptable.
Timely action is needed to prevent and address hearing loss across the life course.
Investing in cost effective interventions will benefit people with hearing loss and bring financial gains to the society.
Governments must act to integrate person-centred ear and hearing care within national health plans for universal health coverage.
For General Public
Good hearing and communication are important at all stages of life.
Hearing loss (and related ear diseases) can be avoided through preventative actions such as: protection against loud sounds; good ear care practices and immunization.
Hearing loss (and related ear diseases) can be addressed when it is identified in a timely manner and appropriate care sought.
People at risk of hearing loss should check their hearing regularly.
People having hearing loss (or related ear diseases) should seek care from a health care provider.
Deaf History Month
Deaf History Month is celebrated every March 13 to April 15 to honor the achievements of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It is celebrated within this timeframe because of three notable events for the deaf community:
On April 15, 1817, the first school for the deaf in the United States was founded: the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut.
On April 8, 1864, the first university for the deaf and hard of hearing was founded: Gallaudet University.
On March 13, 1988, the first deaf president of Gallaudet University was elected after a successful student protest: Irving King Jordan.
Music and Video in Sign Language
Indian Sign Language Music Videos
Sources:
Books, Movies, and OTT Series on Deaf
CODA is a 2021 coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Sian Heder. An English-language remake of the 2014 French-Belgian film La Famille Bélier, it stars Emilia Jones as the titular child of deaf adults (CODA) and only hearing member of a deaf family, who attempts to help her family's struggling fishing business, while pursuing her own aspirations of being a singer. Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, and Marlee Matlin are featured in supporting roles.
CODA won three Oscars at the 94th Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Kotsur), and Best Adapted Screenplay, becoming the first film produced and/or distributed by a streaming service and the first starring predominantly deaf actors to win Best Picture.
In this reality series DEAF U, a tight-knit group of Deaf and hard of hearing students share their stories and explore life at Gallaudet University.
Bollywood Movies with Great Sensitivity for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Mute
Zubaan (Speech Impairment), 2015
Barfi! (Autism, Deaf-Mute), 2012
Black (Deafblindness), 2005
Iqbal (Deaf-Mute), 2005
Khamoshi: The Musical (Deaf-Mute), 1996
Koshish (Deaf-Mute), 1972
For more information check the Awareness and Advocacy page under Home page
Unfortunately some movies mock at disability and must e avoided. Like:
Golmaal series: Mute & Blind
Housefull 3: Blind, Deaf, & Physical Disability
Tom, Dick and Harry: Blind, Deaf, & Mute
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi: Multiple Disabilities
Common Sense is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of all kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
We believe every child should have access to a quality education, to technology, and to diverse representations in media. This is critical for all kids to become empathetic, engaged learners and citizens who are supported by media, technology, and society rather than marginalized by it.
We believe that standing for justice and equity can only be achieved when we commit to addressing racism and bigotry throughout the media and technology industries. As a nonprofit dedicated to supporting all families as they navigate media and technology, we must ensure that our users see themselves reflected in our programs and our staff. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to this work, and our original research informs our focus and how best we can serve diverse communities.
We are striving toward representation and equity among our staff and our users, but we acknowledge that we have more work to do. We need to be vigilant in helping to create a just, antiracist future and reaching and serving cultures and communities according to their needs.
Books with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Characters
From memoirs of growing up deaf to epic fantasies and nail-biting thrillers, these books offer mirrors and windows into the lives of kids and teens who have hearing loss. Reading these books can promote understanding, compassion, and tolerance among hearing readers -- as well as give kids who are deaf and hard of hearing a chance to see relatable characters through compelling stories.
Charlie & Frog: age 8+: Fun, educational mystery introduces kids to sign language. By: Karen Kane (2018)
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread: age 8+: Brave mouse adventure a modern classic; great read-aloud. By: Kate DiCamillo (2004)
El Deafo: age 9+: Charming, funny comics memoir of growing up deaf. By: Cece Bell (2014)
Hello, Universe: age 9+: Charming tale of friendship, courage, and self-acceptance. By: Erin Entrada Kelly (2017)
Song for a Whale: age 9+: Compelling tale of deaf girl's search for a whale. By: Lynne Kelly (2019)
Wonderstruck: age 9+: Inventive story of runaways in New York, 50 years apart. By: Brian Selznick (2011)
You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P!: age 10+: Brave but heavy-handed look at racism and deaf life. By: Alex Gino (2018)
Hurt Go Happy: age 11+: Award-winner faces tough topic of animal testing. By: Ginny Rorby (2006)
Dragonswood: age 12+: Teen girl's bold adventure among dragons, fairies, princes. By: Janet Lee Carey (2012)
Soundless: age 12+: Solid standalone fantasy is inspired by Chinese folklore. By: Richelle Mead (2015)
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin: age 13+: Funny, overweight, deaf - the new kid is an unlikely hero. By: Josh Berk (2010)
There Will Be Lies: age 13+: Deaf teen learns scary truths in suspenseful thriller. By: Nick Lake (2015)
Movies and TV Shows with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Characters
For kids who are deaf or hard of hearing, seeing characters like them represented on-screen can have a powerful impact on their self-esteem. And watching movies about characters who experience hearing loss can help build understanding, compassion, and inclusivity among hearing viewers. These movies and TV shows feature characters with some sort of hearing loss, whether they communicate by speaking or using American Sign Language (ASL).
No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie: age 7+: Well-meaning drama about being deaf in a hearing world. (2013)
El Deafo: age 8+: Poignant reflection on life as a kid with hearing loss. (2022)
Wonderstruck: age 9+: Thoughtful, arty take on excellent Selznick novel. (2017)
The Miracle Worker: age 10+: Outstanding movie based on life of Helen Keller. (1962)
Mr. Holland's Opus: age 10+: '90s drama about inspiring teacher has some cursing. (1997)
Hawkeye: age 11+: Intriguing new Marvel duo's adventures have violence. (2021)
Marie's Story: age 12+: Inspirational subtitled film is emotionally intense. (2014)
CODA: age 13+: Heartwarming, salty story about hearing teen in deaf family. (2021)
Creed: age 13+: Feel-good Rocky-saga drama is both a hit and a miss. (2015)
Creed II: age 13+: Strong sequel has boxing violence, some language. (2018)
Dear Frankie: age 13+: Moody but uplifting tale of deaf boy. Get your tissues! (2004)
A Silent Voice: The Movie: age 13+: Bullying, suicide attempts in excellent coming-of-age anime. (2016)
Audible: age 14+: Poignant short docu has language, teen suicide. (2021)
The Silence: age 14+: Suspenseful dystopian horror movie has violence, cursing. (2019)
The Society: age 14+: Language, violence, substance abuse in dark teen mystery. (2019)
Switched at Birth: age 14+: Family drama's responsible messages are good for teens. (2011)
A Quiet Place: age 14+: Gripping monster movie has lots of tension, some blood (2018)
Children of a Lesser God: age 15+: '80s love story has some strong language, sex. (1986)
The Family Stone: age 15+: Bittersweet story won't appeal to younger teens. (2005)
Sound of Metal: age 15+: Powerful, emotional drama about deafness has salty language. (2020)
There Will Be Blood: age 16+: Slow-moving, somber drama is too mature for kids.(2008)
Deaf U: age 17+: Reality show explores deaf culture, college life; some sex. (2020)
Advocacy
Understanding Deaf Culture: Why Indian Sign Language Needs Official Status, LILA India, 2020
Hardeep Singh is a Deaf Artist, Multimedia Specialist, and a Deaf Empowerment Trainer from Delhi. Growing up in a hearing environment, he never got to understand or assert his deaf identity, leaving him confused and under-confident of his own future. In 2017, he participated in a training programme by Centum GRO Initiative, which opened him up to the world of deaf history, deaf culture, audism and deaf gain. Since then, he has been advocating to make Indian Sign Language (ISL) a scheduled language in India.
In this video, Hardeep introduces us to the deaf community and culture, to show us how having a different language does not make an individual any different or less capable than the hearing community. He details the benefits of giving ISL an official status, to show how our society can be made more inclusive and compassionate.
NAD Requests PM Modi to Make ISL an Official Language, ISH News, 2021
A. S. Narayanan, President, NAD has recently written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for including Indian Sign Language in the list of official languages of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated that Indian Sign language (ISL) will now be introduced in the education system in the country as a subject in schools in India.
Ranveer Singh ‘proud’ that Indian Sign Language (ISL) to be taught as a subject in schools, 2021
ISL as an Official Language
NAD Petition: Recognize Indian Sign Language (ISL) as the 23rd Official Language of India
Table the Indian Sign Language (ISL) Amendment in the 2019 Winter Session of the Parliament.
18 million Deaf and Hard of Hearing people are waiting for Indian Sign Language to be included among our official languages in India. But Parliament has yet to pass the amendment.
Time is running out as the winter session of Parliament ends on 13th December. Sign and share this petition to make Parliament act now.
Time is running out for my petition asking our Parliament to include Indian Sign Language as one of our official languages in the Constitution of India.
There are 18 million deaf people in India. Their first language is Indian Sign Language. However, most deaf people have not had access to learn proper sign language. They are the least educated and least employed among the sensory disabled people in the country. This is because of lack of access to basic language and communication skills. They are also the least included for the same reason.
Unless the language issue is addressed in a war footing manner, the development of deaf people will not take place. They will be left behind in the progress. Hence National Association of the Deaf (NAD) demands the Home Ministry take urgent steps to include Indian Sign Language (ISL) in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Please note that the Indian Constitution has been amended before to add new languages. As per the information available on the net, initially, there were only 14 languages in the Indian Constitution. Currently, there are 22 official languages. The Eight Schedule was amended in 1967, 1992 and 2003. Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and Santali were added in 2003 by the 92nd Constitutional Amendment Act. About one million people speak Bodo. Dogri is spoken by approximately 2.3 million people. Maithili is spoken by 15 million people in India. Compare this with the following: There are about 18 million people who are deaf in the country and their mother tongue/first language is Indian Sign Language! It remains an unrecognized language, thus making us totally invisible and “voiceless”!
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities makes it clear that sign language should be given equal status as other spoken languages. It is the right of deaf people to access information in sign language. The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 provides for - sign language as a mode of communication, having sign language teachers in educational institutions, sign language interpretations in media, etc.
In September 2019, NAD delegates met the Hon’ble Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and gave our letter to him in this regard. He was convinced and promptly sent the letter to the Home Ministry. We have not heard from the Home Ministry yet. We need to get the attention of the Government on this very urgent need of the Deaf community.
We need your support!
A S Narayanan, President, National Association of the Deaf
+91 9810468715 (SMS or WhatsApp only)
nadindia2004@gmail.com
The infographic shows a world map with a light grey background where countries are depicted in two colors: blue for countries that have achieved sign language recognition and grey for those who have not attained it. On the map, the following countries have been spotlighted: Canada, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Ireland, Luxembourg, Chile, The Netherlands, Philippines, Bulgaria, and Greece are listed with a brief description and date of their sign language recognition.
Underneath the map, on the left south side, there is a circle graphic chart with different colors, with an explanatory text of the colors used. Next to it on the right, there is a list of the blue countries, with the year they achieved legal recognition and one or two little squares with a color that represents the type of legislation that recognizes their sign language in their country.
Source: The Legal Recognition of National Sign Languages, WFD, 2022
Ranveer Singh Supports Indian Sign Language, ISH News, 2020
In 2019, Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh launched his music label IncInk. He had announced his promise to make their music accessible to the Deaf community by using ISL. Now on 23rd May IncInk, has released the ISL video of rapper-poet Spitfire's "Vartalap". The video has been translated and signed by Deaf ISL interpreter Hardeep Singh.
The Vartalap ISL music video was created in collaboration with the Access Mantra Foundation (AMF). Dr. Alim Chandani, CEO of AMF said, "When I had the opportunity to interpret Spitfire’s lyrics for Vartalap, I immensely felt connected to it. Vartalap means “important conversation” and as a Deaf person myself, I have experienced the struggles of having a valuable conversation and conveying my thoughts and feelings to people. Seeing a Deaf interpreter interpreting the artist’s lyrics is a way of showing how we can create an inclusive community by inviting you to our world.”
Ranveer said, “Through this music video, we're supporting the cause of making Indian Sign Language the 23rd official language of India.
Ranveer Singh has signed the official petition filed by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) India, to make ISL the official language. Along with Ranveer, Katrina Kaif, Ahana Deol have retweeted the music video on Instagram and signed the petition as well! Ranveer has urged Indian citizens to support this, and create awareness about the importance of ISL for the Deaf.
We sign for Human Rights
In India, Indian Sign Language (ISL) has been legalized by RPwD Act, 2016. It is yet to be included in the 8th Schedule as an official language
Activists and Organizations in Advocacy and Awareness
Block Ol , plot no 71 A, Budh Vihar, New Delhi 110015
+91 11 2727 6295
Awaaz Foundation on YouTubeAwaaz Foundation on FacebookAwaaz Foundation on Wikipedia
#GetWellSoonMumbai
Sumaira Abdulalisumairaabdulali@yahoo.com
Use of firecrackers is increasing and they are now used round the year for every kind of celebration including weddings, cricket matches, Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals and other miscellaneous events. These firecrackers are being lighted on public roads with traffic passing over them momentarily.
Mumbai is the noisiest city in the world and traffic is a continuous source of noise. An auto rickshaw in Mumbai measures 82.6 dB during this recording by Awaaz Foundation
Sumaira Abdulali recording noise under a Silence Zone board at a religious place
AWAAZ Foundation
A voice against Noise Pollution
Awaaz Foundation is a non governmental organization working on environment, particularly noise pollution and sand mining - giving the citizens of India a voice against environmental concerns, since 2006.
GetWellSoonMumbai of Awaaz Foundation creates awareness on links between environmental pollution and health.
Awaaz Foundation was founded on 21 February 2006 by Sumaira Abdulali, a well-known environmentalist, who has exposed many scandals of environmental villainy in India at personal risk. The Foundation has filed several public interest litigations, including demands for strict implementation of noise pollution laws, better functioning of Mumbai's Tree Authority, and reducing noise pollution.
Advocacy against Noise Pollution
Awaaz Foundation has advocated against noise pollution from various sources and has conducted campaigns to create awareness of adverse health effects from noise in a methodical and scientific manner. The various noise pollution campaigns of the Foundation have received widespread public support and turned into a public movement in Mumbai followed by the rest of the country. Increased awareness and vigilance of citizens has resulted in policy change, better systems and better implementation of Noise Rules.
Awaaz Foundation has measured noise levels from myriad sources including festivals, traffic, construction and religious places. This is a measurement during Ganpati 2013, the loudest festival in Mumbai.
Awaaz Foundation systematically collected noise pollution data for the first time in India, collated and presented it to the State and Union Governments, Courts, police and citizens. Data was generated of noise levels at major events since 2003, from sources including firecrackers, traffic, loudspeakers, industrial equipment and construction.
In 2010 Awaaz Foundation tested noise levels of helicopters after several leading Industrialists applied for permission to build private helipads atop their residential buildings in densely populated areas of Mumbai. After the data was presented in court. Permission to use private helipads in all urban areas of India were banned by the MoEF.
Also based on data presented to MoEF during the pendency of the public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court, Government of India's Ministry of Environment and Forests accepted all recommendations by Awaaz Foundation on 11 January 2010 for stricter noise laws in the country and issued a new notification to ban use of loudspeakers, musical instruments and honking in the areas demarcated as silence zones, including areas around religious places throughout India.
Awaaz foundation filed a Public Interest Litigation on 12 November 2007 in Mumbai High Court seeking implementation of Noise Pollution Rules, 2000, which contemplate creation of silence zones around educational places, courts, hospitals and religious places also.
In 2009 the Bombay High Court accepted the need for implementation of stricter noise laws and ordered the State Government to implement Noise Pollution regulation rules notified by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), (one of the Subordinate and statutory bodies) of Government of India's Ministry of Environment and Forests. Consequent to the Bombay High Court Order, the State Government of Maharashtra initially notified and asked municipal bodies in the state to demarcate an area of 100 metres (330 ft) around educational institutions, hospitals and courts as silence zones but left out the areas surrounding religious places as silence zones. Awaaz Foundation once again petitioned the Court to have these places notified as silence zones. On 6 August 2009, the principal secretary of the Home Department, Government of Maharashtra in an affidavit told the court that about 1,313 religious places had been identified in the city of Mumbai and the BMC would put up Silence zone boards within three months.
Finally on 20 Aug 2009 principal secretary (appeals and security) Government of Maharashtra Mr. Anna Dani filed an affidavit stating that a supplementary notification has been issued to include all religious places in silence zone, and has been circulated to all civic bodies in the state.
Sumaira Abdulali (1961-) is an environmentalist from Mumbai, India, founder of the NGO Awaaz Foundation. She was co-chairman of the Conservation Subcommittee and honorary secretary of Asia's oldest and largest environmental NGO, the Bombay Natural History Society, and is currently a Governing Council Member.
Through legal interventions, advocacy and public campaigns, contribution to documentary films, television debates and press articles she has successfully mainstreamed and built consciousness about previously unknown environmental hazards, notably noise pollution and sand mining, and has won national and International awards for her work.
She also set up the first network for protection of activists in India after an attack on her by the sand mafia is 2004.
She has been referred to as "one of India's foremost environmental activists."
Indian festivals: Increasingly commercialized and politicized, are becoming louder and show record peak levels in spite of increased public awareness and better implementation of time limits following Court Orders.
These are the cities with the worst noise pollution (2017). This is the plot of noise pollution in 50 different cities with two cities of India - Delhi and Mumbai on top five!
Implementation of Noise Pollution Laws
Awaaz Foundation's advocacy against noise pollution in India motivated the Government of India to make rules and implement them. Awaaz Foundation has successfully petitioned both local and state governments in India to impose stricter noise pollution laws. Under the Environment Protection Act, in which the new Noise Pollution Rules are framed, violation of the rules is punishable with a Jail term of up to five years and fine of ₹100,000 (US$1,300).
Firecrackers, initially used mainly during the Diwali Festival, are now used to celebrate almost any occasion including weddings, cricket matches, and festivals of every community. Awaaz Foundation tested the noise levels of firecrackers along with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013.
The noise level of almost all crackers exceeded 100 dB and some varieties consistently exceeded 125 dB.
Firecracker packaging did not disclose details of noise levels or chemical content or even the year of manufacture;
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) who is the Authority to check firecrackers at the stage of manufacture and the Arms and Explosives Department of the Mumbai Police who license firecracker vendors did not take action for many years following complaints of violations.
In 2012, Awaaz Foundation, under Right to Information, obtained an Order to disclose details of all firecrackers tested by PESO on their website.
Diwali 2012 was the quietest Diwali in recent years. In 2013. the Mumbai Police undertook an awareness and enforcement campaign for the 10pm deadline on bursting crackers during the Diwali Festival. The Firecracker Distributors' Association of Mumbai and Thane also cooperated in this effort. Diwali 2013 was the quietest in a decade.
Awaaz Foundation measured noise at the Shiv Sena Party's annual Dasara Rally in 2010, 2011, 2012 2013, 2014 and 2015 and presented their findings to the Police and Bombay High Court. Based on these readings the police filed cases against Rally organizers.
Following final hearings of Awaaz Foundation's PIL, clubbed with nine other PILs by the Bombay High Court in August 2016, a comprehensive final Order was passed. For the first time, noise levels during the Ganpati festival declined in 2016. Noise levels declined again during Diwali 2016. Mumbai, which in January 2016 was named the noisiest city in India by the Central Pollution Control Board was the only city to see decline in noise levels during the Diwali Festival. The Mumbai Police issued a Statement thanking citizens of Mumbai for making noise pollution reduction a citizens' movement.
Measuring Sound Levels
Awaaz Foundation also has organised volunteers groups, offered them support and education to all those who faced noise related problems, independently monitored Ambient noise level using sound level meter. and interacted with the authorities to ensure their support and co operation. Excessive noise from loudspeakers, construction, traffic and firecrackers have been separately taken up by Foundation at various times and with various authorities; educational programs and publications for schools, colleges, citizens groups and the authorities empowered to implement the laws have been supported and implemented.
Awaaz Foundation encouraged citizen participation to implement noise rules by creating awareness about a free downloadable application onto phones to measure decibel levels. Awaaz requested citizens to complain to the Mumbai Police website with a copy to them for follow up and received numerous complaints in the festival season 2012.
In 2013, Awaaz Foundation used newly available technology called Noise Watch, a free App to use smartphones or iPhones as decibel meters to build a participatory citizens campaign to map noise levels across Mumbai.
A Facebook page Citizens' Noise Map supports the initiative and the readings taken by citizens are upload able directly onto a GIS map. The initiative caught on quickly during Ganpati 2013 and spread to other Indian cities such as Pune almost immediately. The citizens' noise map was sent to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra and spurred a decision of the Government to conduct a formal noise map of Mumbai.
Spreading Awareness of Noise Pollution
Awaaz Foundation has conducted numerous awareness campaigns including
#GetWellSoonMumbai, a social media campaign on Facebook
#TellTheDriver not to honk in partnership with the Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mumbai Traffic Police
#HornFllu in partnership with the Indian Medical Association
Noise Annoys in partnership with the Times of India #YourAwaazAgainstNoise, #GodsAgainstNoise.
In 2015, community leaders carried out awareness drives to reduce noise from Mahim Fair and Eid e Milan through public Statements and grass root level campaigns
CODA
CODA - CHILDREN OF DEAF ADULTS, is a non-profit organization for adult, hearing sons and daughters of deaf parent(s). Since 1983, coda has grown to include people from many different countries and varied world experiences. We have found that the coda experience is strikingly similar around the world. Regardless if you come from a family with one deaf parent, both deaf parents, additional deaf family members, families who signed, families who didn’t. Etc., you are welcome here.
Vision
Connecting Codas around the world.
Mission
CODA celebrates the unique heritage and multicultural identities of adult hearing individuals with deaf parent(s).
Statement of Purpose
CODA (Children of Deaf Adults, Inc.) strives to achieve this mission via conferences, retreats, publications, scholarships, resource development and fundraising to enrich the experience of Codas.
"CODA was officially founded in 1983 as a result of research I did as a graduate student at Gallaudet University. I sent out the first CODA introductory newsletter and coined the term “CODA – Children of Deaf Adults” referring to hearing offspring of Deaf parent(s). Research has shown that approximately 90% of the children born to Deaf parents are hearing. I was one of them and set out to organize our widely dispersed group. My life was full of constant movement between Deaf and hearing worlds. I felt comfortable in both but not fully immersed in either. The CODA world would become my third option where I felt balance between my Deaf and hearing cultural experiences."
H.E.A.R.: Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers
H.E.A.R. is a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing hearing loss, mainly from loud rock music. The acronym stands for Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers. It was founded in 1988 by rock musician Kathy Peck and physician Flash Gordon, M.D. after Kathy suffered tinnitus and hearing loss after playing with the band The Contractions.
The initial funding for the organization's formation was provided by guitarist and songwriter for The Who, Pete Townshend, who also suffers from tinnitus as a result of loud volumes at Who concerts, and a particular incident during a live performance of My Generation, when drummer Keith Moon set off some explosives inside his drum kit right next to Townshend.
Hearnet is the interactive website of H.E.A.R. that is updated regularly, providing information and resources on tinnitus, hearing loss, hearing evaluation referrals, hearing aids and assistive listening devices (ALD's), as well as a referral service of audiology partners, ear doctors, and entertainment links.
Hearing Essay: On Blog, On Soundcloud, 2015
What Makes Us Human?: On Blog, On Soundcloud, 2015
Listening to The Tempest, a tale to cure deafness: On Blog, On Soundcloud, 2016
Hearing Essays by Evelyn Glennie
Dame Evelyn Elizabeth Ann Glennie, CH, DBE (born 19 July 1965) is a Scottish percussionist. She was selected as one of the two laureates for the Polar Music Prize of 2015.
Glennie has been profoundly deaf since the age of 12, having started to lose her hearing at the age of 8. This does not inhibit her ability to perform. She regularly plays barefoot during live performances and studio recordings to feel the music.
Glennie contends that deafness is largely misunderstood by the public. She explains that she taught herself to hear with parts of her body other than her ears. On her website Glennie published "Hearing Essay" in which she discusses her condition. Glennie also discusses how she feels music in different parts of her body in her TED talk "How To Truly Listen", published in 2003, and a collection of her speeches and writings are published in her book Listen World!.
Listen World! Book: This book is an invitation to tap into the wonders of listening, what that means to you and everything you engage in. What happens when you engage with the chatter in your head? When you travel to school and college. Is listening only about sound or can our whole body be a resonating chamber? Is listening about observing?
How can we begin to enhance our relationship to ‘listening’ and how can it influence all the decisions you make from minute to minute?
My experience is that listening is an activity that never sleeps… even when we are asleep we continue to listen! What an opportunity we have to re-engage, rethink, revisit our everyday lives to make what we do much more vivid and meaningful, and as a result, feel part of the wonders of the world?
International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH)
International Federation of Hard of Hearing People (IFHOH) was established in 1977 as an international, non-governmental organization, registered in Germany. IFHOH represents the interests of more than 466 million hard of hearing people worldwide.
This includes late deafened adults, cochlear implant users, and people who experience Tinnitus, Meniere’s disease, Hyperacusis and auditory processing disorders.
IFHOH has over 40 national member organizations from most regions of the world. IFHOH and its two regions, the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) and the Asia Pacific Federation of HOH and Deafened people (APFHD), work to promote greater understanding of hearing loss issues and to improve access for hard of hearing people. IFHOH has special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), affiliation with the World Health Organization (WHO), and membership in the International Disability Alliance (IDA).
Listen Smart by Ozzy Osbourne
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born 3 December 1948) is an English singer, songwriter, and television personality. When you think of loud music, it’s hard not to think of Ozzy Osbourne.
He currently holds the Guinness World Record for the longest scream by a crowd without stopping? The scream, which was part of a publicity campaign to promote his album — appropriately entitled ‘Scream’ — lasted one minute and eight seconds and was registered between 105-107 decibels. While the rocker’s hearing damage isn’t as bad as you might suspect, he does suffer from permanent tinnitus.
Ozzy has starred in an educational video titled Listen Smart, that was used to spread awareness about hearing loss and how to protect your ears from damage. This “rockumentary” features interviews with some of today’s most popular musicians (including Ozzy Osbourne, Wyclef Jean and Moby) as they talk about the kinds of long-term hearing damage that can occur when music and other sounds are played too loudly. As the video progresses, viewers are offered the tools necessary to understand why high-decibel sounds can create such unintended havoc on the body.
Further reading