Developed from the PowerPoint program prepared for the presentation by Dr. Anne Toth.

Bridge of Signs Pont des Signes

• Can sign language empower non-deaf children to triumph over their communication disabilities?
• Funded by the Social Development Partnerships Program
• Start date: January 5^th 2004
• End date: March 31^st 2006

• Children with cognitive and developmental disabilities face barriers in acquiring and using language to effectively communicate.
• No models presently exist that explore or demonstrate the efficacy of sign language as a tool for facilitating communication.
• Increasingly, childhood deafness is often not a "lone" disability. A child who is deaf is increasingly likely to have another disability.
• Research has yet to be done to explore the benefits of teaching sign language to cognitively and developmentally disabled children.

To explore the potential of sign language to be a communication tool for deaf and hearing children, ages 0-6, who are cognitively disabled due to:

• Autism
• Down Syndrome
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)
• Developmental delays
• Learning Disabilities

To observe and consult with professionals experienced in working with children who have communication disabilities in order to develop model programs for training children (and those who work with them) in sign language.

To create professional kits comprised of a manual and video that will encourage and assist parents, caregivers, professionals, and organizations across the country in utilizing the lessons learned from this project.

Creation of a body of knowledge supported by research related to the use of sign language as a tool that serves to:

1. Overcome barriers to communication as imposed by cognitive disabilities;
2. Bridge communication for children with communication disabilities as they attempt to integrate into society.

• Children between the ages of 0-6 with cognitive disabilities.
• Parents, caregivers, educators and other professionals who work directly with these children.
• Disability-related organizations and associations.

• Initial Conference, April 2-3, 2004, for:
  • review of the literature
  • presentations to potential partners and supporters (May-June 2004)
  • two national conferences(Autumn 2004 and Summer 2005
  • development and implementation of the program model
  • evaluation throughout the project

Jim Roots

The CAD Executive Director

Anne Toth

Project Director 

Stephanie Duguay

Project Assistant

Michel Lelièvre

Project Co-ordinator

Tamara Witcher

Research Assistant

Evelyne Gounetenzi

Executive Assistant

Why Use ASL/LSQ?

• École Gadbois, Montreal, May 25, 2004
• Learned Societies conference, Quebec City, May 23-26, 2004
• Centre Jules-Léger, Ottawa, May 27, 2004
• Council for Exceptional Children, New Orleans, April 14-19, 2004
• Canadian Association of Social Workers, Saskatoon, June 3-8, 2004
• Board of Education, Saskatoon, June 8, 2004

The Teaching Model Methodology

The Parental Authorization Letter

• Pre-evaluation
• Post-evaluation

Instructional Kits

• CD
• Manual

• Deaf Canada Conference of CAD, Winnipeg, July 19-25, 2004
• First Canadian Conference on Mental Health, Ottawa, September 9-12, 2004
• Meeting of a provincial group of parents of hearing, hard of hearing and Deaf children, Autumn 2004

Promotion and Evaluation Planned

• Collection and analysis of data.
• Discussion with partners and the project team.
• Consultation with partners to identify conclusions and consider implications for future research development.

• Model Program (2004)
• Educational Kits
  • manual
  • videotapes, CDs, DVDs (prototype 2004, final 2006)
• Formal Report (March 2006)
• Publication of findings
  • CAD Chat, CAD website (2004
• Public promotion at Conferences and Presentations
  • biannual Deaf Canada Conference (to be held in Winnipeg in 2004) and the Canadian Association of the Deaf 65th Anniversary Celebration (to be held in Edmonton in 2005).

Questions? Comments?

Thank you for your interest and support of Bridge of Signs!