The use of language is essential for any form of communication but that is often a challenge for those who have a hearing or speech impairment. While members of this community use sign language to communicate with one another, a problem can occur when they try to talk to people who do not understand sign language. As the world moves towards various kinds of inclusion, a reality where people are trained in signing is still a distant dream.

Even as sign language use is rising globally, it is nowhere near the level it should be both in India and the world. The International Day of Sign Languages is celebrated every year on September 23 to raise awareness around the use of sign language in the full realisation of the human rights of people who are deaf, according to the United Nations.