Fostering Communication
Silent Voice Canada
Provides programs to deaf children, youth, adults and their families in an American Sign Language environment.
After receiving cochlear implants, Jason attended speech therapy for years, but was unable develop his speech. His family tried to find support from medical experts, and eventually Jason was referred to Silent Voice, an organization serving deaf adults, children and their families.
The initial contact with Silent Voice was brief. The family was hesitant to learn ASL (American Sign Language) because they had been warned that learning ASL would impair their son's ability to speak. But, left with a frustrated child, and no real communication at home, they reluctantly enrolled Jason at a school where ASL is the primary language.
Within a few short weeks, the family realized that Jason was making good progress in school, and had picked up the language quite naturally. They contacted Silent Voice again, to register for in-home sign language classes. The family is now starting to accept Jason's deafness as they share a common language base. Jason is participating in the Silent Voice summer camp program.
Begun in 1975, Silent Voice is today the only organization in the GTA offering community and family-based support to deaf children and adults in American Sign Language(ASL). Silent Voice provides social and recreational programs in ASL for deaf children and their hearing brothers and sisters.
Learn more about Silent Voice and how it's reaching disadvantaged deaf adults living in our communities.
Silent Voice Canada
50 St. Clair Ave. E., Suite 300
Toronto, ON M4T 1M9
TEL 416-463-1104
TTY 416-463-3928
www.silentvoice.ca
[email protected]