City of Oshawa recognizes International Week of Deaf People with new addition to its websites

The City of Oshawa has added American Sign Language (A.S.L.) videos to oshawa.ca and connectoshawa.ca to better inform the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community of the availability of sign language interpreters when accessing City programs and services.

Launched during the International Week of Deaf People (September 18-24), the videos not only communicate how a viewer could request A.S.L. services or additional accessibility support, but also demonstrate the City’s commitment to providing a healthy and safe community with accessible facilities, programs and services for all to enjoy. The additions make the City one of the first in Ontario to feature an A.S.L. video on its website.

View the A.S.L. video on the City’s Accessibility webpage.

International Week of Deaf People is a week to bring awareness to sign languages and acknowledge the inequality faced by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community every day. The week includes the International Day of Sign Language (Saturday, September 23) which is celebrated annually to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community and other sign language users.

This year, the overarching theme of the International Day of Sign Language is “A World Where Deaf People Can Sign Anywhere,” with hopes of increasing access to sign language interpreters, providing more education and resources and encouraging the use of sign language in public spaces.

Learn more about accessibility in Oshawa on the City of Oshawa’s Accessibility webpage.

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