Today, September 28, rallies are taking place around the globe in support of sign language and deaf children�s right to education. In Newfoundland and Labrador, deaf and hard-of-hearing students are educated at the Newfoundland School for the Deaf, as well as in the regular school system. The Honourable Joan Burke, Minister of Education, stressed the importance of every child�s right to an affordable and accessible education.

"There are currently 26 students at the School for the Deaf, with 10 teachers, a guidance counselor, an educational audiologist and a principal," said Minister Burke. "These students are fully supported in their own language, American Sign Language (ASL), and receive a full slate of academic programming to successfully complete Kindergarten to Grade 12."

Advancements in technology and trends for students to study in their home communities means deaf and hard of hearing students are more often being accommodated in their neighbourhood school. For example, in response to a request from parents, students of the School for the Deaf were given the option of taking courses at Gonzaga High School. As a result, some students now spend half the day at Gonzaga, and the other half at the School for the Deaf. Each student is supported by a teacher of the deaf and an ASL/English interpreter while at Gonzaga, and teachers and students of Gonzaga are being provided with training in ASL. Other students have chosen to continue their full program at the School for the Deaf and are receiving all the courses they need to graduate.

"This is a clear example of the actions being taken to support deaf children and to recognize, not only their right to accessible education, but their right to choose," said Minister Burke. "Our focus must be on the individual child and accommodating their particular needs, whether that is within the setting of the School for the Deaf, in their community school, while living at home, or a combination of both, as we are now seeing at Gonzaga. The Newfoundland School for the Deaf provides an important service to deaf and hard-of-hearing students. At the same time, students who wish to attend another school should have that option and we will continue to explore such opportunities to make sure all students have access to the best education possible."

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Media contact:

Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications
Department of Education
709 729-0048, 689-2624
jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca