News from Nepal: Raghav Bir Joshi, a Deaf man from Nepal selected into Government!
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The Supreme court has issued a writ of Mandamus to the government of Nepal
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Projects & Programs

Projects

1. SHIA/SDR/DDF
• Organizational Development project
• NSL/CBR Programme

2. Deafway UK
• Deafway Project Office, Kathmandu:
• Nepali Sign Language Basic Numeric & Literacy project:
• Navajyoti Deaf School Project:
• Data Collection Project:
• Tailoring shop in Kanchanpur for Deaf Women:
• Shreejana Deaf Higher Secondary School Project:
• GAD organizational Support Project:

3. SHIA/SDR/LDF
• Organizational Development project for BAD.
• NSL/CBR Programme

Programs

 Sign Language  

a) From the very beginning of the deaf movement that begins in 1980, sign language was always in priority. By 1988, we have published Finger Spelling – in Nepali Alphabet, developed by deaf. In 1989, a dictionary on Nepali Sign Language, in a small shape with few stocks, was published. In 1996, a sign language dictionary, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd part in 1997 was published by NFDH. And in 2003, the best in all, a sign language dictionary, with 2202 signs, with many reformations were published.

The sign language development process is in continuation. We have a National Committee to work on Nepali Signs.

Now Nepal deaf use finger spelling, signs make on Nepali Dev Nagric Script to make complete communication.

b) New signs collection. Deaf member organizations are Informed that they when get new signs in the course of sign language practices. The new signs or ole people in their own will can not print or publish. They must get permission or send the signs to NFDH’s committee to review, and seek approval from the National Sign Language Conference that held as required.

c) Sign Language Teaching Programmes:-
From the very beginning, in the deaf movement, Sign Language remained always a major concern. In 1989, the first sign language class was launched by KAD Kathmandu. The class remained 4 months period, and teacher appointed was a deaf. Sing then, KAF, and now other all local deaf organizations sign language classes are in their regular programme.

NFDH also has its own sign language programme. We are getting support in this programme by Deafway, UK, since 2001, Deafway, UK, providing NFDH a NSL project to run it in remote areas, where deaf movement not yet reached. The sign language class is of short time nature. We have designed it of 10 months period, teacher should be a deaf. This year in 2005 we are having it in 8 places. We hope, in 2006, we can extend it to 12 places.

We are also getting support for sign language class from SHIA/SDR – Sweden for 6 classes in different places in this year 2005. this sign language class runs for 6 months, and teacher must be a deaf. These classes are separate to local deaf organization.

Awareness-
People are to teach that the deaf can do everything. For this, the opportunities that they need, are very important, and no one should stop them joining sign language class. The messages we give them through signs by deaf leaders from a small gathering of local people are becoming more effective. These gatherings in the first to begin and at the last closing – are made necessary – a part of sign language programme.

Last year in 2004, we had total NSL programmes in 12 places and awareness programmes in all the programmes.

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