St. Clair Catholic proudly recognized the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23 and the International Week of Deaf People from September 23 to 29. This year’s theme, “Sign up for Sign Language Rights,” encouraged schools, communities, and leaders to advocate for the inclusion of Deaf learners by supporting the recognition and use of national sign languages in education.

At the heart of this movement was the understanding that communication goes far beyond words. More than 90% of all communication is nonverbal, and in American Sign Language (ASL), only about 20% is made up of hand signs. The remaining 80% relies on body language and facial expressions, making it a rich and powerful tool for conveying meaning. “Students need to see it so they can be it,” shared Lauri Doig, Elementary Teacher and Special Education Itinerant, emphasizing the importance of representation and access in education.

Beau Cockburn, a Deaf Computer Technician at St. Clair Catholic, shared his own experiences with the challenges Deaf students face. Born to a hearing family, Beau didn’t start learning ASL until grade 9, which delayed his access to language—and by extension, his learning. He recalled how one teacher recognized his struggle to connect with peers and arranged for a class from a Deaf school to visit. This simple act of inclusion was life-changing for Beau, as it allowed him to feel part of a community that shared his experiences. He emphasized the importance of ensuring interpreters are available and that educators work with them to better support Deaf students. “There’s always something that can be done, and there’s always room to improve,” Beau reflected. “The first step is being willing to take on the challenge of opening our minds and hearts.”

Lauri Doig compiled a week-long curriculum to help St. Clair Catholic schools observe International Sign Language Week. Monday kicked off with an introduction to ASL and a collection of Deaf jokes, showcasing the unique humour and playfulness of sign language. On Tuesday, students explored the history of ASL, followed by lessons on how Deaf culture has influenced everything from storytelling to the hand signals used in baseball. Midweek, students watched Deaf kids describing superheroes in ASL and learned about Deaf history, including the oppressive measures from the 1880 Milan Conference that continue to affect Deaf communities today. Thursday’s lessons focused on visual play in ASL, with students learning an ABC story and exploring how handshapes are used creatively in the language. The week wrapped up on Friday with a powerful performance of “Waiting on the World to Change” in ASL, accompanied by music, calling all to reflect on inclusion and take action.

“Inclusion and access to education are rights, not privileges,” Lauri Doig explained. “For Deaf students, sign language is their birthright. Ensuring they have access to it from a young age sets the foundation for their entire academic and social development.”