Deaf in India

People Name:	Deaf
Country:	India
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	10,715,000
World Population:	49,660,750
Primary Language:	Indian Sign Language
Primary Religion:	Hinduism
Christian Adherents:	5.84 %
Evangelicals:	0.00 %
Scripture:	Unspecified
Online Audio NT:	No
Jesus Film:	No
Audio Recordings:	No
People Cluster:	Deaf
Affinity Bloc:	Deaf
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

There are deaf schools receiving government funding, and approximately 372 private schools for the Indian Deaf are scattered throughout India. The Indian Deaf population is not well connected or informed, and many Deaf people do not even know the names of all the schools or clubs for the Deaf within their own city.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Most schools use the oral approach in the classroom. It is a rare school that uses signs in the classroom. Rural Indian Deaf often do not receive an education due to being needed as laborers and the distance that must be traveled to go to school.
Most of the major organizations, gatherings ("clubs"), and schools for the Deaf are in the larger urban areas. Many Indian Deaf migrate to the cities for education and jobs. Jobs are likely to be either unskilled or a manual trade, if skilled. Male Indian Deaf are more likely to go to school and to stay in school longer than females. There are about sixty evangelistic Deaf churches in India, but they are mostly in the larger cities. The Deaf would benefit from a Bible training program that is geared to their needs. One organization has started such a training program in India.
Likewise, there is a need for qualified interpreters in medical fields, businesses and offices. Pastors and lay leaders who are qualified to work with the Deaf are often called to act as interpreters. That can be very time consuming and tiring for them.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Spiritual input is limited by the lack of ability to hear. This applies to people who are Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian.

What Are Their Needs?

CODAs (Children of Deaf Adults) serve as interpreters in most parts of the world. In India, however, CODA's usually are unqualified or unwilling to be interpreters. This is due to extended family households. Deaf parents tend to give hearing children to their grandparents to raise. Many CODA's do not admit to having Deaf parents, and they do not take part in the Indian Deaf Community as adults.

Prayer Points

Pray that God gives the Deaf in India dreams and visions leading them to salvation.
Pray that they realize Jesus Christ loves them and devote their lives to the savior.
Pray for efforts to include the Deaf, so they can live productive and meaningful lives.