National Association of the Deaf

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) released a position statement supporting the use of dual language development-- the use of both American Sign Language (ASL) and English-- in educational settings with deaf infants, children and youth. ASL, as a visual language, can be easily acquired by young deaf children and represents a natural and reliable route to language development which is essential for their cognitive, emotional, academic and social growth. As such, it provides the best possible access to deaf peers and mentors capable of involving the child in an inclusive community.

The NAD has a long history of advocating for the use of bilingual education. In recent years, we have worked to educate Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) professionals about ASL, advocated for the inclusion of linguistic options in the requirements of EHDI, and participated in a conference on Cochlear Implantation (CI)I and Sign Language at Gallaudet University.

Providing Guidance to Deaf Educators

In this position statement, the NAD seeks to provide guidance on the elements that should be present in any deaf educational setting. We urge educators in state and local school districts to ensure that the following are present in their programs for the deaf:

• Support for a dual-language 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 learning ASL, including, but not limited to, ASL classes and exposure to deaf mentors.
• Educators who are fluent in both ASL and English.
• Deaf professionals in leadership roles.
• School leaders who respect ASL and its benefits.
• An accessible environment, including systems for visual announcements and visual emergency alarms.
• Opportunities to learn spoken English.
• Schools which do not have enough deaf students to institute an adequate bilingual deaf education program on their own should collaborate with other schools and organizations.

Following these recommendations will provide deaf students with the best possible opportunity to thrive and meet the standards required by IDEA.