July 13, 2019
The Trichy Central Library recently opened a section for deaf people
with exclusive facilities. This includes a tablet where visitors can learn
English through sign language.
Libraries in Kerala are opening their doors to newer and newer audiences.
After the Kerala State Central Library in Thiruvananthapuram
opened a new wing with books in Braille and audio books, now it is Trichy’s
turn.
The Trichy Central library has opened a wing for deaf
readers. This is great news as this is the biggest library in the city with
hundreds of visitors every day.
Reports are that the state government has spent almost ₹1.5
lakh on the new wing. The Trichy Central library is renowned for its
vast collection and is used extensively by students who want to prepare for
the competitive exams. The library has a section in Braille books from before
and this new wing for deaf readers will make it even more popular.
Shankar Subbaiah, an Accessibility Consultant
Expert who works with the Tamil Nadu government says libraries like
the Anna Centenary Library in Chennai and District
Central Library in Coimbatore are already accessible to a large
extent. He is happy that other states are following the lead as well.
Most of these libraries already had a section for visually impaired people.
We have been working on making these spaces accessible for deaf people as
well. We are planning to make Trichy a model library so that other
libraries across the state can follow its functioning. Tablets that help
deaf students to learn English through sign language videos will be
introduced in these libraries so that they can prepare for competitive
exams as well. The government has been extremely cooperative and that is
why we could implement this. – Shankar Subbaiah, Accessibility
Consultant Expert
Right now, only a few libraries in Kerala are accessible to blind and deaf
people. With this new wing being introduced at Trichy Central Library, deaf
people in this city will not have to face too many challenges when it comes
to accessing exclusive books. This will also provide them a better platform
to prepare for competitive exams and find employment opportunities.
Disability rights activists say its high time all libraries began work on
accessibility. “I feel all libraries must be made inclusive. The Tanjore
library is not inclusive at all. Why is there a delay in making all these
libraries accessible for disabled community?”, asks
Kamaraj, an activist in Trichy.
Under the RPWD Act 2016 accessibility to all government facilities/structures
is mandated and it is high time this is followed in letter and spirit.
ALSO READ: Kerala’s state capital library has a new Braille wing
