In university, I took an ASL class and really enjoyed learning a new language. My professor who was Deaf would come into my work often and I was able to help him. This allowed me to meet more people in the Deaf community and I got to see how my little knowledge of ASL positively impacted these people’s experience. Through this project wanted educate people on the importance of accessibility and the many benefits of learning ASL.

I created gifs of simple signs such as the numbers 1-10, the alphabet, how are you, my name is, deaf and hearing. These gifs were created by recording myself doing the signs and inputting the video into procreate to trace frame by frame and make short animations. I wanted the videos in a simple line illustration so they are easy to understand.

These gifs were then put on instagram so they are easily accessible to the public. My plan during this project was to post a sign a day. My followers would see the video on their feed and learn a new sign.

Around 3 million people in Canada are hard of hearing and 350,000 people are Deaf. Statistics show that 98% of Deaf people do not receive education in sign language and 72% of families do not sign with their Deaf children. This leaves Deaf or hard of hearing children at a disadvantage in life. Teaching ASL in our society will not only benefit the Deaf community but also people with disabilities who may not be able to verbally communicate. Statics also show that teaching young children ASL will provide long term cognitive benefits.

I created a book and a website which outlines the importance of teaching and learning ASL.