Accessible Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

Accessible Education for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

In 2024, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission initiated a systemic review of certain educational supports for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students in Saskatchewan. This work began after parents raised concerns related to ASL interpreter qualifications, expectations for their future proficiency, and the overall availability of skilled personnel to support meaningful access to education.

Consistent with the Commission’s systemic approach, the review examined barriers affecting DHH students in Kindergarten to Grade 8. This process included interviews, research, and engagement with families, educators, and subject‑matter experts. The Commission’s analysis was guided by the principles set out in The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, 2018 and The Accessible Saskatchewan Act, both of which affirm the right to effective communication and equitable access to education.

Stakeholders identified challenges that limit access for DHH students:

• Parents expressed concern that interpreter proficiency standards remain too low, that ASL training pathways vary widely in quality and expectations, and that professional development is not consistently required.
• Educational authorities reported ongoing difficulty recruiting qualified interpreters, citing issues such as compensation, job duties, and the absence of local training programs.

During this review, four systemic issues to be addressed emerged:

• A province‑wide shortage of qualified educational interpreters;
• Insufficient compensation for educational interpreters;
• Lack of detailed plans for training existing educational interpreters; and
• The absence of a coordinated provincial strategy for DHH educational services

These findings echo the broader issued identified in the Commission’s D/deaf and Hard of Hearing Initiative which has documented the long-standing barriers faced by Deaf, deaf, and Hard of Hearing individuals across Saskatchewan. Building on this work, the Commission remains committed to advancing systemic solutions that uphold communication access as a fundamental human right. This includes continuing to engage with stakeholders; monitoring progress on identified systemic issues; and championing reforms that ensure Deal, deaf, and Hard of Hearing individuals can fully participate and thrive in Saskatchewan.