Sarah Sunny: The Trailblazing Journey of India's First Deaf Lawyer in the Supreme Court

Sarah Sunny has made history as India's first deaf lawyer to argue in the country's Supreme Court. The 27-year-old recently appeared before Chief Justice DY Chandrachud with the assistance of a sign language interpreter. The court even appointed its own interpreter for Sunny, a first in its history, to ensure she understood the proceedings. The presence of Sunny in the top court is seen as a step towards a more inclusive and accommodating legal system for the deaf community. Observers believe that this milestone will encourage more deaf students to study law and create opportunities for deaf individuals in the field. Sunny's journey to becoming a lawyer was not easy, as she faced challenges in finding an accepting educational environment. Despite the difficulties, she persevered and obtained her law degree. Deaf individuals often face stigma and a lack of interpreters in court, making it difficult for them to pursue legal careers. However, recent decisions by the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court to allow deaf lawyers to have interpreters are signaling progress in breaking down barriers. These developments may lead to the creation of a legal thesaurus in Indian sign language and increased employment opportunities for interpreters. The Supreme Court's actions have been applauded by the deaf community, with many seeing it as a positive step towards accessibility and equality under the law.