Video: Sign languages are a means to accessibility and inclusion
Government leaders and sign language interpreters share why sign languages are important for communication, accessibility, inclusion and the protection of human rights
Transcript: Sign languages are a means to accessibility and inclusion
Start of video
[Music plays]
[Video starts with a collage of 18 photos arranged in six columns and three rows of a variety of different people signing. All the photos have been treated with a monotone blue colour overlay.]
[A title animates over the photos that says International Day of Sign Languages.]
(Text on screen: International Day of Sign Languages)
[The entire screen animates off and flashes to a full-screen view of Francis Trudel looking at the camera and standing in front of a window, with a Canadian flag to his left.]
[Francis begins by using American Sign Language (ASL) while a voice-over begins of what he is signing. When he finishes signing and the voice-over stops, there is a flash transition that brings you to the next scene.]
There are no human rights without sign language rights. This message reflects the importance of sign language every day of the year.
[The next scene starts with Francis Trudel taking up half the screen and talking, while a box with a blue outline appears with a woman using American Sign Language (ASL) to show what Francis is saying.]
(Text on screen: Francis Trudel, Associate Deputy Minister, Public Services and Procurement Canada.)
Hello, I'm Francis Trudel, Associate Deputy Minister of Public Services and Procurement Canada.
The International Day of Sign Languages, created by the United Nations in 2017, is an opportunity to highlight that sign language is not just a tool for communication. It is a fundamental human right.
Without access to sign language, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities are effectively denied their basic human rights, including access to employment.
That is why it is important to mark the International Day of Sign Languages and, throughout the year, continue to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
[The video cuts to the next scene. Christopher T. Sutton is standing and looking at the camera, with a beige wall behind him and a Canadian flag to his left. Christopher begins by using American Sign Language (ASL) while a voice-over begins of what he is signing.]
(Text on screen: Christopher T. Sutton, Accessibility Commissionner of Canada, Canadian Human Rights Commisson.)
I'm Canada's Accessibility Commissioner.
Accessibility is about people. It's about dignity, belonging and opportunity. As someone who is deaf, I know firsthand about how barriers to communication can impact someone's everyday life. That's why building a Canada without barriers matters so much.
Throughout my career, I've learned that accessibility isn't about asking people to fit the system—it's about designing systems that work for people.
The International Day of Sign Languages is an opportunity to recognize the rich cultures, languages and contributions of Deaf communities. It also reminds us that accessibility begins with respecting how people choose to communicate.
There is no single Deaf experience. People communicate in different ways. Some use sign languages, some use speech, some use technologies, and others use a combination of both. Every person's needs and preferences deserve to be respected.
True accessibility means ensuring people have the tools they need to communicate in a way that works best for them. That includes access to sign language interpretation and other communication supports.
When communication is accessible, everyone benefits. We create more inclusive communities where everyone can fully participate.
Together, let's continue building a Canada, barrier-free— where every person is recognized a valued.
[The video cuts to the next scene. Wendy Bruce is standing and looking at the camera, with a grey wall behind her. Wendy Bruce begins by using American Sign Language (ASL) while a voice-over begins of what she is signing.]
(Text on screen: Wendy Bruce, Payment Services Officer, Employment and Social Development Canada.)
Hello, my name is Wendy Bruce, this is my name sign. I have worked for the government for 30 years now.
ASL is very important to me. It changed my life. I grew up lip reading for many years, and I learned ASL only when I was 16. And what life changing experience it was for me to be able to fully understand. To have 100% accessibility to everything. Whereas the speech reading, it's only about 30% of English words that can be understood through speech reading. So and that's not sufficient ASL. ASL is absolutely worth everything to me. It's a way for me to interact, to communicate, to be part of people, to be involved. It's a language that's just it's so important for me.
And so it's I think there's a lot of assumptions that I will have to, you know, fit in and make it work for myself. But the onus is on the government to accommodate me, not the other way around, me and all deaf people. So I would really encourage hearing people, specifically children, what inclusion means, what equality means, real equality. We are the same as hearing people. We can do everything the same. It's just that our language needs are different.
We can't learn to hear. But you can learn to sign. You can learn ASL. It's far easier for you. You have hands, you have fingers, you can use them. But I can't learn to hear. It's just not possible.
Well, I just would really encourage people to learn and to appreciate our culture and we are very welcoming. Please come join us, learn from us and appreciate our language and appreciate ASL. Thank you.
[The next scene starts with Jean-François Lymburner full-screen. He begins to use American Sign Language (ASL) and is also talking at the same time. When he finishes signing, there is a flash transition that brings you to the next scene.]
(Text on screen: Jean-François Lymburner, Chief Executive Officer, Translation Bureau.)
Hi! I'm JF Lymburner. I'm the CEO of the Translation Bureau. This year's theme: Declare Deaf people human rights.
[The next scene starts with Jean-François Lymburner taking up half the screen and talking, while a box with a white outline appears with a woman using American Sign Language (ASL) to show what Jean-François is saying.]
A citizenship ceremony, a public consultation, Canada Day celebrations, a major government announcement, a federal election leaders debate…
These moments matter because they connect Canadians to the decisions, events and conversations that shape our country. Sign language interpreters help ensure Deaf, and hard-of-hearing Canadians can be part of these important conversations.
Through its network of interpreters, the Bureau provides services in American Sign Language et en Langue des signes québécoise, two languages that play an essential role in the lives, cultures and communities of Deaf Canadians.
The work of sign language interpreters allows more Canadians to access government information, to engage in public life and to take part in the conversations that shape our society from coast to coast to coast.
The recognition, promotion and use of sign languages are reducing barriers and enabling the full participation of Deaf, and hard-of-hearing Canadians. Through their expertise and dedication, sign language interpreters foster inclusion and strengthen connections within our communities. The Translation Bureau is proud to be part of these efforts and build a more accessible Canada. Thank you.
[Music stops]
[The next screen is white with the ISBN and Catalogue number in big black print.]
(Text on screen: ISBN: 978-1-100-00432-7, Catalogue: P4-192/2026E-MP4)
(Canada Wordmark)
End of video