Blog - SignAble Vi5ion

Inclusive Education for Deaf Children and Teachers

Under the AODA umbrella, various groups and individuals with disabilities are intended to benefit from improved accessibility and inclusion.

BUT within educational settings, both deaf and hard of hearing (HH) children and aspiring deaf educators encounter toxic environments that hinder their growth and opportunities. One concerning aspect contributing to this toxicity is the prevailing preference for a listening and speaking approach, which extends to teaching methodologies and workplace cultures. This preference, often enforced by educational institutions and influenced by societal norms, neglects the diverse communication needs of deaf and HH children, as well as the valuable contributions of deaf teachers.

March 12, 2024

woman with magnifiying class looking closely

The Effects of Recent Remarks

There’s been quite a buzz recently over a billionaire’s Twitter comment under a post questioning the use of sign language in videos when captions are available. This situation has significant influence and could have concerning effects on those who share similar sentiments. It might lead to a lack of accommodations in workplaces and the media.

But let’s delve deeper into this issue. English and American Sign Language are distinct languages, each with its own nuances and richness.

February 9, 2024

Understanding Challenges in Online Meetings

When a Group Promoting Accessibility Faces Unexpected Issues In the realm of virtual events, unexpected challenges can arise, especially when a non-accessibility-focused organization brings in a speaker to talk about accessibility. Recently, I attended a webinar under these circumstances, and it shed light on some surprising hurdles faced by participants seeking an inclusive digital experience. As someone with specific accessibility

November 29, 2023

Deaf Patient Access: In-Person Interpreter Impact

In the realm of healthcare, effective communication is paramount. Clear and unimpeded communication between patients and healthcare providers is not only essential but often a matter of life and death. For Deaf individuals, this critical need is magnified, as their unique communication preferences and cultural nuances must be accommodated.

Consider this scenario: Carol, a Deaf patient, walks into a Canadian hospital with her mother, looking visibly anxious. Carol relies on American Sign Language (ASL) as her primary mode of communication. She has an important medical appointment, but the doctor assigned to her speaks a different English dialect. Carol’s interpreter, hailing from Texas uses regional signs that differs from Canada. The resulting miscommunication leads to misunderstandings and leaves both Carol and her doctor frustrated and concerned.

November 14, 2023

Back to School: Fostering Inclusive Communication and Deaf Awareness

As the summer season draws to a close, the anticipation of a new school year fills the air. While the back-to-school checklist typically revolves around backpacks, notebooks, and pencils, it’s equally crucial to consider the diverse communication needs of students and raise awareness about deafness within our school communities. Every child deserves an education that provides equal access, and creating

September 21, 2023

Open Captions: Making Movies Inclusive

Last week, I posted a message accompanied by a video, asking a seemingly simple yet crucial question: \”Where and when are open captions available at the movies?\” This inquiry shed light on a relatively rare and often overlooked aspect of the movie-going experience, and it\’s high time we addressed it. Open captions, or lack thereof, have a significant impact on the inclusivity of cinemas, and the emergence of cup holder caption devices poses an intriguing dilemma that deserves our attention.

August 20, 2023

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