International Week of the Deaf: September 22, 2020

Today’s theme: Inclusive Sign Language Environment

[VIDEO DESCRIPTION: This vlog by Ian Sanborn is wearing a black beret and dark blue sweater. Behind him is a bright coral background with a white cabinet and on the right side a cut out window in the wall with a shelf.]

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National sign languages secure the full inclusion of deaf people in their societies! This inclusion starts at an early age with bilingual education for deaf learners in national sign languages and national written languages with deaf peers, following a curriculum that maximizes the full learning potential of deaf children taught by teachers fluent in the national sign language. Quality and inclusive education is crucial to empower and enable deaf people to become active contributors in their societies and communities.

This inclusion through sign language must take place not only in schools but also in the family home. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that governments provide families of deaf children with free instruction in their national sign languages throughout the child’s schooling. The acquisition of a sign language from an early age is crucial to develop the literacy and cognitive capacities of deaf children. For deaf people to be able to realize their self-determination in accessible societies, it is crucial that a wide range of services are available directly in national sign languages. These include, among others, health services, social services, media, workforce, education services, and government services.

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#DCARA #IWDeaf #SLEveryone #DeafAwareness

[ID: A flyer with dark background with wave textures with DCARA logo on top and International Week of the Deaf logo on the bottom with following content in teal and orange text:

Celebrate International Week of the Deaf

September 21, 2020

Theme of the Day

Inclusive Sign Language Environment]