The recent cancellation of CFR #206764 – Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Early Language Access Services has sent shockwaves through the Deaf community, families, allies, service providers and educators across British Columbia.

This initiative represented a long awaited landmark opportunity to build a sustainable model for early language access — ensuring that Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing children acquire language from birth, preventing the well-documented effects of language deprivation syndrome.

The abrupt cancellation at this stage undermines years of progress toward equitable early childhood inclusion and has shaken public confidence in the province’s commitment to language rights and accessibility for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing children and adults. 


Call to Action


We, the undersigned Deaf community members, families, educators, service providers, and allies, call on the Government of British Columbia to:

1) Reverse the cancellation of CFR #206764 immediately and reinstate the process for Early Language Access Services as outlined in the CFR.

2) Ensure meaningful consultation with Deaf-led and community-based organizations in all next steps to ensure programs reflect the lived experiences of Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind individuals to ensure balance and unbiased service in both sign and spoken language. 

3) Safeguard early language development by requiring ongoing language assessment, early intervention supports, and accessible services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Deaf-Blind children aged 0–5.


Why It Matters

 

Language acquisition, development and access is a human right.

No child should be denied the opportunity to develop a first language — whether through ASL or spoken language — during the most critical years of brain development.

Research shows, and this CFR prioritized, elimination of any delays in early language access which lead to lifelong cognitive, educational, and social consequences. We cannot allow another generation of Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing children in British Columbia to experience preventable harm when the province was on the cusp of a solution with this CFR.


Our Request

 


Reverse the cancellation of CFR #206764 immediately and reinstate the process for Early Language Access Services and reinstate the CFR.


We urge the Ministry of Children and Family Development to meet with Deaf community leaders and stakeholders to understand the rationale for this decision and identify immediate actions to safeguard early language services for Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing children.


Together We Stand for Language Equity


Please sign and share this petition to show your support for reinstating the Early Language Access CFR and upholding the right of every Deaf, Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing child in British Columbia to have full access to language from birth.

⚠️Reverse the cancellation of Deaf-Blind and Hard of Hearing Early Language Access Services‼️