By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
PreferencesDenyAccept
Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement
Community
April 28, 2023
6 min

4 Ways Global Leaders Can Promote Sign Language

World leaders promoting sign language is crucial in breaking down communication barriers and promoting inclusivity. Read more in this article!

Author:
Matt Sherman
4 Ways Global Leaders Can Promote Sign Language
Example h2
Example h3

DEIA (Diversity Equity Inclusion and Accessibility) is finally becoming the norm. While we still have a long way to go. Businesses and organizations post their diversity statements and hire experts to oversee diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI&A) initiatives. But this concept is not just a trendy buzzword or leadership fashion. It is the foundational pillar of cultures and communities, and to truly establish and embody a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, greater accountability must exist from the top down.

Breaking Down Communication Barriers

“Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people.” 

-Hellen Keller

Communication is an essential aspect of human life, a tool for people to express their thoughts, emotions, and ideas. However, not all people communicate through spoken languages. The existence of sign languages in various parts of the world has allowed deaf or hard of hearing people to communicate effectively with the hearing community.

However, certain groups can be left behind without seamless access to information and limited opportunities to participate in society. Therefore, world leaders must use their collective efforts to foster, promote, and recognize national sign languages as part of their countries' vibrant and diverse linguistic landscapes.

Don’t let life without captions slow you down.
Sign me up now!

Inclusive Environments are Built by Example

Cultivating an inclusive environment and breaking down communication barriers requires consistently improving and prioritizing initiatives to build a long-term culture of DEI&A that will change the future. That’s why global leaders must speak up for inclusivity and advocate for change on a larger scale.

As this was the case with Michal Herzog, the first lady of Israel, who, during televised ceremonies, such as the event of Holocaust Remembrance and Heroism at Yad Vashem

has been recorded using Israeli Sign Language (ISL) during the signing of ‘Hatikva’ (The Hope) – Israel’s National Anthem. At the same time, the televised event includes an ISL interpreter.  

The importance of a global leader using sign language during a televised ceremony cannot be overstated. In this case, Israel's First Lady is promoting inclusivity and demonstrating her commitment to ensuring that all members of society are valued and included. Including a sign language interpreter is also crucial, ensuring that members of the deaf community can fully participate in the event and feel included in the proceedings, sending a powerful message to the deaf community that they are valued. It also raises awareness about the importance of accessibility and promotes a more inclusive society overall, a crucial step towards promoting inclusivity and creating a more equitable world for all.

Michal Herzog, Israel’s First Lady, using Israeli Sign Language (ISL) during the Holocaust Remembrance ceremony at Yad Vashem in Israel.
Michal Herzog, Israel’s First Lady, using Israeli Sign Language (ISL) during the Holocaust Remembrance ceremony at Yad Vashem in Israel.

This initiative highlights the importance and impact that making sign language mainstream can have on the deaf or hard of hearing community and invites world leaders to follow.

4 Ways Global Leaders Can Promote Sign Language

Sign language is a vital tool for communication for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, yet it is often not given the attention it deserves. Global leaders are responsible for promoting the mainstream use of sign language and ensuring it is accessible to everyone. Here are four ways that they can do so.

01. Join the World Federation of The Deaf Global Leaders Challenge 

The Global Leaders Challenge is a yearly opportunity for national associations of deaf people to establish and maintain sustainable collaborations with their national leaders by using their national sign languages.

02. Promote Inclusive Education Policies

Global leaders are responsible for advocating for sign language use in classrooms. By creating more accessible learning environments, global leaders can help ensure that deaf children have the same opportunities to succeed as their hearing peers.Organizations such as Deaf Child Worldwide have led the charge for changes in accessible Deaf education internationally. 

03. Advocate for Workplace Accommodations

Employment opportunities can also be limited for deaf or hard of hearing people due to communication barriers or assumptions about their abilities. Global leaders can help break down these barriers by promoting inclusive hiring practices and advocating for workplace accommodations, such as sign language interpreters and captioning services. 

04. Design public spaces and events with accessibility in mind

Global leaders can promote accessible technology, such as captioning and sign language interpretation. United States did so when they hired full-time ASL interpreters for the White House for the first time in 2022. Additionally, global leaders can advocate for including deaf individuals in public dialogue and decision-making processes, ensuring their voices are heard and their perspectives are represented.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by advocating for inclusivity and pushing for change on a larger scale, global leaders can help create a more accessible and equitable world for all. Together, we can work towards a society where deaf or hard of hearing individuals have the same opportunities to succeed as their hearing peers.

Whether you're 18 or 100, staying connected matters—and Nagish is here to help.
Sign me up now!
Matt Sherman

Matt Sherman is the Head of Community at Nagish, where he serves as a bridge between the company and its community, working to identify accessibility needs and break down communication barriers. He leads conferences, partnerships, strategic initiatives, and advocacy efforts, while also nurturing Nagish’s online and offline communities to keep them thriving and growing every day. Outside of work, Matt is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing and exploring the serenity of Minnesota’s land of 10,000 lakes.

Blog
Get Nagish for Free.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Get Nagish for Free.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Catch every word with captions.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
No more feeling left out. Nagish lets your voice be heard.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Don’t let life without captions slow you down.
Join the thousands of people who use Nagish!
Sign me up now!
Share on:

Suggested Articles

Hearing Loss
March 22, 2024
7 Min
Best External Microphones For Live Transcribe
Deaf Culture
June 30, 2023
8 Min
Soon To Be Deaf: How to Prepare, Advice, Expectations
Nagish News
December 26, 2024
5Min
Nagish’s Service Directory: Your Key to Hassle-Free Support
Big News: Nagish is now FCC-certified for IP Relay Services! 🎉  Read the announcement.

4 Ways Global Leaders Can Promote Sign Language

Key Findings

  • Workplace Impact: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals report that communication barriers hinder career mobility.
  • Healthcare Challenges: 62% of Deaf and 66% of Hard-of-Hearing individuals experience communication barriers in healthcare settings, contributing to delays in treatment.
  • Concerns About Emergency Communications: 20% of Deaf and 24.3% Hard-of-Hearing users also expressed serious concerns that communication barriers would prohibit them from contacting healthcare personnel in an emergency situation.
  • Independence Boost: Assistive technology nearly doubled rates of independence, with 60% of Deaf users and 63% of Hard-of-Hearing users reporting increased autonomy.
  • Emotional Strain: 55% of Deaf users and 83% of Hard-of-Hearing users reported emotional distress due to communication frustrations.
  • Social and Professional Opportunities: 46% of Deaf and 32.9% of Hard-of-Hearing users saw improved social and career prospects thanks to assistive technologies.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Through Technology: A New Era of Communication and Independence

At Nagish, we’ve seen firsthand just how much communication shapes daily life for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Our recent survey highlights the significant barriers they face in the workplace, healthcare settings, and in their social lives. But it also sheds light on a powerful solution: assistive technology. The results of this survey reinforce our commitment to empowering these communities and remind us why our mission matters: with access to the right tools, independence grows, opportunities expand, and well-being improves.

We collected data through a comprehensive survey involving over 300 individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and currently use hearing assistive technology. The survey included 179 Deaf and 140 Hard-of-Hearing participants, with data collected in an inclusive and accessible manner to ensure that everyone could participate and share their experiences without barriers.Communication Barriers in the Workplace: Limiting Career Mobility

Communication challenges in the workplace remain one of the most significant hurdles for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, preventing them from fully realizing their career potential. Assistive technology offers a solution by removing these barriers and expanding access to a broader range of job opportunities and career growth.

Download the PDF Report

A majority of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants reported that communication barriers affected their career decisions, making it harder to pursue job opportunities or advance in their careers.

Deaf Participants

Hard-of-Hearing participants

65% of Deaf users rely on assistance from hearing individuals at least once a week to communicate effectively, which can limit their ability to fully engage in dynamic work environments.

Communication Barriers in Healthcare: A Matter of Public Safety
Communication challenges are not just a workplace issue — they extend into healthcare settings, where they can directly impact individuals’ health outcomes. Accessible communication tools are essential for ensuring that Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can receive timely and accurate medical care, especially in emergency situations

Many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users face communication barriers in healthcare settings, which can lead to missed appointments, misunderstandings about medical treatments, and delayed care.

Deaf users:

62%

Hard of Hearing users:

66%

Some Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users have concerns about reaching healthcare professionals in emergencies, highlighting serious public safety risks.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Empowering Independence Through Assistive Technology
One of the most encouraging findings from our survey is just how much independence is boosted with assistive technology. This improvement in independence is not just about doing things on their own; it’s about having the confidence and ability to engage fully in both professional and personal settings.

Assistive technology has significantly increased the independence of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users in managing daily tasks, showing clear improvements after adoption.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Expanding Social and Professional Opportunities
Beyond independence, assistive technology creates connection.By removing communication barriers that keep people from joining in socially or professionallyassistive technology allows users to engage more deeply in social activities and pursue career opportunities that were previously out of reach.

Assistive technology has helped Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users expand their social networks and professional opportunities, enabling new connections and career growth.

Emotional and Psychological Impact: The Hidden Toll of Communication Barriers
People often overlook the emotional and psychological toll of communication , but they can have a profound impact on the mental well-being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals. Assistive technology can help alleviate this emotional strain, empowering users to communicate more effectively and reducing the anxiety associated with relying on others for basic communication.

A significant number of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing users experience frustration and anxiety when communicating with family and friends, leading to isolation and stress.

Deaf users

Hard-of-Hearing users

Why This Matters: A Call for Widespread Adoption of Assistive Technologies
The findings from our survey are clear: communication barriers continue to limit the lives of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals in many areas, from the workplace to healthcare to their social lives. What’s also clear to us is that the question isn’t whether assistive technology helps—it’s how quickly we can make this powerful solution universally available.. By making these tools more accessible, we can open up new opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers, maintain better health, and lead more independent lives.
At Nagish, we are committed to advocating for the integration of assistive technologies in all aspects of life. Whether it’s in healthcare, the workplace, or social settings, these technologies have the potential to create a more inclusive society where Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals can live fully empowered lives. 
Our hope is that these findings inspire not just awareness, but action. We hope this survey creates awareness and action in promoting accessibility and inclusion for these communities. Together, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of their hearing abilities, has equal access to opportunities and services.