A couple who are fighting for improved supports for deaf and hard of hearing students in the classroom are pleased with word that a steering committee has been put together to address the issue.
Todd and Kimberly Churchill of Portugal Cove-St. Philips launched a Human Rights complaint against the English Language School District on behalf of their son Carter, who uses American Sign Language to communicate, but was placed in a classroom where ASL wasn’t available.
The Churchills were on hand for the NLESD’s Board of Trustees meeting Saturday where the issue was raised. Supporters attended the meeting holding signs reading ‘Deaf Children Matter.’
The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development will lead the steering committee which will include representation from the NL Association for the Deaf, the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and the Atlantic Provinces Special Education Authority.
Kim Churchill says American Sign Language is vital to deaf and hard of hearing students.
She says children who are deaf and using American Sign Language are not receiving an education and being isolated. She says deaf children are being hurt by the fact that decisions are being made by people without a background in deaf education.