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Hello, my name is Gary Malkowski,
and I am the Special Advisor to President, Public Affairs,
here at CHS.
This month, September,
an exciting announcement has come
from the World Federation of the Deaf – WFD.
They announced International Week of the Deaf,
happening the fourth week of this month,
September 21st through 27th.
Their theme this year is:
“With Sign Language Rights, Our Children Can!”
It's exciting and critical to spread the word,
and show the world that Deaf children
can access learning through signed language rights.
Sign language is important.
Children can learn to speak,
children can learn signed language.
Both spoken and signed languages simultaneously can be learned.
The United Nations Convention
on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
recognizes that Deaf children
have a right to signed language and spoken language.
Both languages are recognized and important.
Presently, CHS is preparing to launch two important guides.
The first guide is called,
“A Guide to Support the Mental Health and Well-Being
of Children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing
in Ontario Schools.”
Deaf and hard of hearing children
need support in relation to their well-being and mental health
throughout Ontario schools.
The second document or guide is the “Classroom Accessibility
for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.”
This document supports teachers, parents,
principals, and other school administrators
to learn about and understand the needs
of Deaf and hard of hearing students in the classroom.
It is important for them to understand
what supports are needed in the learning environment.
Today, more and more children
can access learning through visual channels,
like using signed language,
at the same time learning through auditory means
using hearing aids, cochlear implants,
and FM systems.
It is important for children to learn a foundational language –
signed language!
Hearing babies and hearing children
who learn signed language develop quickly in academics,
in well-being, and in mental health.
With strong support and cohesion,
the best learning in the classroom
and the school environment will happen.
Ensuring a language foundation in the learning
of signed language and spoken language in schools
is critical.
The goal is the well-being and mental health of students
through the development of foundational language skills.
This will allow them to build on their successes,
and move forward with their education confidently.
With that said, I invite you to join us to celebrate
the World Federation of the Deaf’s International Week of the Deaf,
from September 21st to September 27th.
Join our celebration.
Our Rights – Deaf Children Can!
www.chs.ca/barrierfree-education