Deaf Kids Bilingual Platform

Canales Asociacion Civil

Deaf Kids Bilingual Platform

Create a bilingual digital platform in Argentine Sign Language and Spanish, empowering deaf children to access educational content equally.

Buenos Aires, Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina

ARG

Nonprofit

Early access to a natural language is essential for the cognitive, emotional, and social development of deaf children. However, 95% of deaf children are born into hearing families who often lack knowledge of Argentine Sign Language (LSA), making early and fluent communication difficult. This language deprivation has long-term consequences, including delayed language acquisition, academic struggles, and barriers to social inclusion. In Argentina, deaf education has historically been shaped by oralist approaches that prioritize auditory rehabilitation and written Spanish, while minimizing the role of LSA as a first language. This has contributed to systemic barriers in language access and learning. The scarcity of bilingual (LSA–Spanish) educational materials and the lack of teachers trained in bilingual pedagogy further limit deaf children’s opportunities to learn and thrive in inclusive environments. Within families, the absence of accessible resources prevents parents and caregivers from supporting their children's language development. As a result, many deaf children enter school with limited exposure to either language. Additionally, the limited promotion of sign language in early childhood and the lack of public policies that ensure inclusive education perpetuate a cycle of exclusion that affects not only schooling but the full life trajectory of deaf children.

To address the urgent need for accessible, bilingual educational resources, we propose the creation of an innovative digital platform designed specifically for deaf children and teenagers, their families, and teachers. This platform will offer free, engaging, identity-affirming materials designed in both LSA and Spanish, fostering language development, inclusion, and identity from early childhood. Building on over 20 years of experience and in collaboration with Motion Light Lab at Gallaudet University, we will combine Canales’ extensive library of digitized materials with new educational and literary videos featuring characters using LSA. This strategic alliance will also include training for our team in visual storytelling and cutting-edge educational technology. The platform will feature cultural, educational, and training spaces tailored for different audiences. With an intuitive and adaptive interface, it will be accessible from homes and schools, and personalized for different audiences—young children, students, families, educators, and professionals. This bilingual, inclusive space will break down communication barriers, strengthen learning, and promote the rights and identity of deaf children, reaching thousands across Argentina.

Our solution directly supports deaf children and teenagers, their families, and educators by offering a digital space crafted to reflect their unique language and cultural identity. For many deaf children, educational experiences are often shaped by resources and methods that do not reflect their identity or language. This platform shifts that paradigm by centering content in Argentine Sign Language (LSA), creating a space where deaf users can see themselves represented, valued, and understood. Families, who often lack accessible tools and community support, will gain a welcoming environment filled with resources that promote communication, confidence, and connection. For the first time, many parents will be able to accompany their children’s learning journey in a language both can share. Teachers will no longer need to adapt general content on their own—they will have access to materials created with and for the Deaf community, along with opportunities to collaborate and co-create. Beyond the individual, the platform promotes collective change: it supports schools in becoming more inclusive and society in recognizing the value of linguistic and cultural diversity. By engaging all users as active participants, the platform builds a shared educational experience rooted in equity and belonging.