Delhi High Court seeks Centre response ISL films

The Delhi High Court has been asked to mandate Indian Sign Language interpretation for films shown in cinemas and on OTT platforms, with petitions arguing this would uphold disability rights and ensure deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences have access to information and cultural content. The petitions, filed by India Signing Hands, seek amendments to the March 15, 2024 Guidelines on Accessibility Standards to explicitly require ISL interpretation in addition to existing captioning requirements. The court has issued notices to the Central Government and directed it to file counter affidavits within three weeks, while granting petitioners time to file rejoinders, with the matter slated to be listed on September 2 under the differently-abled persons category. Advocates argue the change is needed to comply with Section 42(ii) of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Multiple articles reiterate the court’s procedural directions and emphasize the nationwide scope of implementing ISL across cinema theatres and OTT platforms. The proceedings reflect a broader push to improve accessibility and accessibility standards for media in India.