Three deaf adolescent girls were role-playing a discussion about how well they’d slept the previous night. None of them knew Indian Sign Language, which exists but is not taught anywhere, but they were managing quite well using gestures, expressions and body language. A speaking interpreter who understood them was translating their discussion to me. These were the early days of a project to teach deaf Indian youth about sexual health, risk and abuse.

“I slept well,” said one girl. “Though sometime in the night, my uncle disturbed me.”