Help Deaf Children learn to read and write

On April 13, the Chamber of Senators unanimously approved the recognition of the Argentine Sign Language - LSA as a natural and native language, linguistic and cultural heritage of deaf people throughout the national territory.

This historical event will bring deaf children the opportunity to increase their access to bilingual educational material (in Spanish and in Argentine Sign language) such as those Canales has been producing and promoting. Today, more than ever, we need your help to give this excluded population the chance to participate and express themselves in their Natural Language  (ASL) but also in their Second Language (Spanish).

The participation and full inclusion of deaf people and all those who choose to communicate in either language is now guaranteed by the national state. Another noteworthy point of the law is that those organizations made up entirely of deaf people that represent them throughout the territory of the Argentine Republic will be the only legitimate consultation bodies on the LSA topics.

This recognition of a fundamental human right to language and identity is a fundamental step to eliminate language, communication and attitudinal barriers, to equalize participation opportunities, to strengthen the autonomy and empower deaf people and to design and materialize policies that ensure accessibility.

This new law is the product of a historic struggle of the Argentine deaf community, and this last initiative was created by a consensus-building effort led by the Argentine Confederation of the Deaf, which began by organizing round tables throughout the country so that the approved text reflected the needs of each region. A great collaborative, community and exemplary participatory citizenship work.

Finally, so many years of struggle and oppression are over. Now begins a new chapter in which we will surely be a leading part: from early childhood, deaf children and adolescents should access a quality education in Argentine Sign Language, their natural and now official language all over the country.

* Photo caption: Silvana Veinberg (Founder and Institutional Developer) and Julia Valmarrosa ( Secretary of the Argentine Deaf Confederation and Executive Director at Canales Civil Association ) celebrating the recently voted law at the Congress

Links:

• Summary of our recent participation
• Video with schools celebrating this historic moment