When Communication Fails, Learning Fails: Building Language Access, Mental Wellness, and Belonging for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Indigenous Students

Presented by Stephanie Jebb and Vernon Jebb

Communication is the foundation of learning, identity, relationships, and wellbeing. For many Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Indigenous learners, barriers to language access can affect not only academic success, but also emotional expression, confidence, cultural connection, and sense of belonging.

In this presentation, Deaf Indigenous educators and parents Vernon Jebb and Stephanie Jebb will share lived experiences and professional knowledge about the connection between communication access, mental wellness, and Indigenous student success. Through their combined experiences in Deaf education, ASL instruction, child and youth support, community advocacy, and Indigenous leadership, they will explore how schools can better support Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students.

Participants will learn practical strategies that can be implemented immediately, including creating accessible communication environments, using visual learning approaches, strengthening family partnerships, recognizing Deaf culture as part of identity, and supporting students’ emotional and social wellbeing.

This presentation invites educators, administrators, and community partners to consider communication access as more than an accommodation. Language is a pathway to learning, relationships, culture, and belonging. When students have access to communication, they have greater opportunities to participate, succeed, and thrive within their schools and communities. Participants will also receive practical classroom strategies and reflection activities developed by the presenters, including approaches for improving communication access, supporting student belonging, and creating more inclusive learning environments for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Indigenous learners.

We can provide additional workshop materials, visual resources, and examples of community-based educational work upon request.

The following resources support the themes explored in this presentation:

Deaf Education and Accessibility Resources

• Canadian Hearing Services: Resources related to Deaf awareness, accessibility, and American Sign Language learning https://www.chs.ca
• Canadian Association of the Deaf: Resources related to Deaf rights, accessibility, and advocacy in Canada  https://cad.ca
• Manitoba Deaf Association: Community resources and information supporting Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Manitobans https://www.deafmanitoba.ca
• Indigenous Education and Cultural Resources
• Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre: Resources supporting First Nations education, student success, and culturally relevant learning https://mfnerc.com
• Assembly of First Nations: Resources related to First Nations education, language, culture, and self-determination https://afn.ca

Indigenous Deaf Community Resources

• National Indigenous Deaf Cultural Gathering: Community-led initiatives focused on strengthening Indigenous Deaf identity, culture, accessibility, and connection.