The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) released a position statement supporting the use of bilingual language development — the use of both American Sign Language (ASL) and English — in educational settings with deaf and hard of hearing infants, children and youth. ASL, as a visual language, can be easily acquired by young deaf and hard of hearing children and represents a natural and reliable route to language development which is essential for their cognitive, emotional, academic and social growth. Providing an education in both ASL and English increases access for these children at all levels.
Since its founding in 1880 by deaf and hard of hearing leaders to advance the rights of their community including the use of sign language to educate all deaf and hard of hearing children, the NAD has a long history of advocating for the use of bilingual education.
Providing Guidance to Educators of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
In this position statement, the NAD provides guidance on the elements that should be present in any educational setting with deaf or hard of hearing students. We urge educators in local school districts and state education agencies to ensure that the following elements are present in their programs for the deaf:
- Support for an ASL and English bilingual approach and the necessary resources to educate the child in both ASL and English.
- Literacy programs with clear standards of accountability.
- Support for families and community members including, but not limited to, ASL classes and utilization of deaf mentor programs.
- Educators who are measured for fluency in both ASL and English.
- Diverse deaf and hard of hearing professionals in leadership roles.
- School leaders who respect ASL and its benefits.
- An accessible environment, including systems for visual announcements in both ASL and English and visual emergency alarms.
- Academic courses in ASL and Deaf Studies starting in elementary school.
- Appropriate opportunities to learn spoken English.
- Programs with small numbers of deaf students should collaborate with surrounding programs and schools to institute a joint bilingual deaf education program.
Following these recommendations will provide deaf students with the best possible opportunity to thrive and meet the standards required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).