A long-awaited human rights hearing into whether a couple’s deaf son has been deprived of a proper education began this morning in St. John’s.

Todd and Kim Churchill have been financially and, as was clear this morning, emotionally invested in this fight since 2016 when their son, Carter, started school at Beachy Cove Elementary.

But they say he’s been in an unacceptable state of isolation ever since, often shut out of the normal learning and social environment that other kids his age enjoy due to a lack of proper ASL, or American sign language, instruction.

And they say teachers and the Eastern School District’s own expert will testify that the supports for the boy were, in fact, inadequate.

The school district, however, insists Carter was reasonably accommodated, stating “while it might not have been perfect, reasonableness, not perfection, is the standard.”

Numerous educators, experts and other witnesses will testify during the nine-day hearing.

The Churchills are seeking a ruling that the district has discriminated against their son. They also want improved supports for not just him, but for the other families and children coming behind them.

Carter’s mom Kim Churchill was very emotional at times during her testimony Monday morning.

At one point she broke out into tears describing how the needs of her son had been ignored.

Todd Churchill consoles his wife, Kim, after she became emotional speaking about her son during the hearing at the Holiday Inn this morning. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/BFDC09yWQQ

— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) August 29, 2022