Workshop for Bal Kalyan Sanstha

21st of July found us conducting another workshop for teachers of the deaf at Balkalyan Sanstha. There were 37 teachers from all over Maharashtra. This time though, the enthusiasm levels were not comparable with those at our first workshop. These were teachers from government schools who've been there and done that ( enough said?!). They were tough customers who wanted solutions from Avanti!! Teachers who've been in the line over 25 years ...Avanti has no sure-fire solutions, only a team which taught ISL...a language which is used by the deaf all over India...in its different versions and dialects. A team which recommends using a language the deaf are comfortable with...much as we are comfortable in our own mother tongues. It was a great day for learning...for Avanti, for the team of instructors and hopefully for the teachers who attended. These teachers are from inclusive schools ...where hearing and deaf kids study together. But the surprising part was the obvious lack of interest in communicating directly with the 4 deaf adults who were conducting the workshop except when the actual demonstration of signs began. India has a long way to go before empahty becomes an oft-used word. May God lead us in the right direction. Amen!!