International Purple Fest Goa 2025 Launches Three Key Accessibility Initiatives

Goa, October 12, 2025 On the second day of the International Purple Fest Goa 2025, three major initiatives were introduced to improve accessibility in learning, reading, and communication for persons with disabilities. The event, held from October 9 to 12, was organized by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Government of Goa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the United Nations India. The festival focused on promoting inclusion and accessibility as a core principle for education and skill development. Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, launched the initiatives on Sunday. The first initiative was the release of the IELTS Training Handbook for Persons with Disabilities. Developed by Believe in the Invisible (BITI), the handbook is authored by Anjali Vyas, a British Council–certified IELTS trainer. It is the first inclusive guide for IELTS preparation designed for learners with visual, hearing, locomotor, and other disabilities. The handbook provides step-by-step instructions, practice materials, lesson plans, grammar and vocabulary support, exam preparation tips, time management guidance, and links to Indian Sign Language videos. It serves both learners and trainers, making IELTS accessible and easy to follow while promoting awareness about invisible disabilities. The second initiative came from the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC). Under the Department’s Skill Training Initiative, ISLRTC conducted the Recognition of Prior Learning Certification in ISL Interpretation for SODA (Siblings of Deaf Adults) and CODA (Children of Deaf Adults) from August 11 to 29, 2025, in New Delhi. Seventeen candidates from across India completed the course successfully. The certificate distribution ceremony for this first batch will be held on December 3, 2025, coinciding with the International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The third initiative is the launch of a Specialized Basic Training Programme on American Sign Language (ASL) and British Sign Language (BSL), also led by ISLRTC. The one-month programme will start on December 3, 2025, and aims to introduce ISL professionals to the fundamentals of ASL and BSL, including grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. It will give Indian sign language interpreters international exposure, expand professional opportunities, and highlight Indian culture to global participants. These three initiatives together demonstrate a strong commitment to making education, communication, and skill development more inclusive and accessible for persons with disabilities. They aim to empower individuals to learn and communicate effectively while building professional pathways at both national and international levels. By focusing on accessible resources, inclusive training, and international collaboration, the International Purple Fest Goa 2025 is setting a benchmark for promoting equality and inclusion in education and professional development for persons with International Purple Fest Launches Major Accessibility Initiatives At the International Purple Fest Goa 2025, three key initiatives were launched to improve learning and communication for persons with disabilities. The event, organized by the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Goa government, introduced the IELTS Training Handbook for learners with disabilities, a certification course in Indian Sign Language for SODA and CODA participants, and a new training program in American and British Sign Languages. These programs aim to make education, skill development, and professional opportunities more inclusive, helping individuals communicate, learn, and thrive while promoting accessibility and awareness both nationally and internationally.