The Silence That Taught Me to Listen | Manya Agarwal | TEDxYouth@CHIREC

Communication & Inclusion - Real communication begins with effort and non-verbal cues, not just words [1] - Feeling unfamiliar or unsure is a natural part of trying new things [1] - Failure is not final; it's an opportunity to try again, think, and listen better [3] - Inclusion involves being quiet at times and recognizing small gestures [3] Project SignVerse & Impact - Project SignVerse was born from a moment of understanding and a desire to not repeat past mistakes [3] - 135 students were willing to learn sign language, demonstrating a willingness to care and try [3] - The project started with teaching basics of Indian Sign Language to 9th and 10th graders [1] Personal Growth & Reflection - It took two years to understand that inclusion is not a task to check off, but something to learn again and again [2] - The speaker initially aimed to teach Korean or the power of Mandarin, but shifted to Indian Sign Language [1] - The speaker realized the importance of being present and listening, even without sound [1]