Key Word Sign is not a signed language

I've been working with early learning centres to support the inclusion of deaf kids for nearly two years now....

And honestly? It still blows my mind how often I hear this - "We just use key word sign here - it's basically the same as Auslan".

And you know I swear - every single time I have to refrain from leaping across the room and shaking some sense into the person who said it.

Why may you ask?

Because here's the thing: Key Word Sign and signed languages - are not the same thing.

And because this is yet another example of our brilliant deaf and hard of hearing kids being held back by a lack of awareness AND education.

And she's had it up to here with it.

And you want to know what's even more concerning?

This advice is coming directly from "inclusion" officers (yes, the ones employed to advocate and ensure our kids are actually included in their program).

Here's what this tells me.

There are people out there:

• being paid to make decisions for our deaf kids - when they know nothing about deafness
• continuing to spread false information about the language needs of deaf children (at the most critical time in their lives)
• making claims about deaf and hard of hearing kids without the training or knowledge to back it up

And our kids are the ones paying for it.

Let's break it down:

Telling educators to use Key Word sign instead of Auslan with a deaf child, sends the message that:

Deaf kids don't need full access to language. (Just a few signs here and there will do.)

Meanwhile, hearing kids are flooded with rich vocabulary, stories, jokes, sings, questions, answers - all bloody day long.

So no: this isn't "inclusive." It's inequality in plain sight.

Imagine walking into a preschool and hearing this:

"We've decided to only speak to the hearing children using key words."

Just the basics - eat, sit, play, sleep.

Nothing more.

There would be outrage - and rightfully so. Because we all know that would be depriving kids of language!

So why on earth is this okay for our deaf and hard of hearing kids?

Deaf children don't need less language: they need more.

More exposure, more modelling, more access, more LANGUAGE.

They need to see language in motion, build a deep, expressive vocabulary, question things, get curious, engage in language that builds understanding, identity, culture and connection...

That kind of language is found in

Auslan
In ASL
In BSL
In NZSL

Not Key Word Sign

KWS is not a language.
KWS is not a language.
KWS is not a language.

 Because here's the thing

Language access is not optional.
It's not something we "try our Best" to provide.
It's a basic human right.

And until that's the standard, I will keep showing up, speaking out, and pushing back.

Because our kids deserve it.

Key Word Sign of course has its place.

It can be a useful communication tool for hearing kids who are non-speaking, autistic, have childhood apraxia of speech, those with cognitive barriers that make full language acquisition tricky and so on.

But for our deaf and hard of hearing kids who are more than capable of acquiring a full language receptively and expressively?

Key Word Sign is not it, mate.

And it should never be used as a substitute for a signed language with deaf kids.

Does this mean educators have to be fluent? No.
Does this mean they are the signed model for our kids? No.

But it does mean they should be learning a signed language from the start - not Key Word Sign.

Language is a right people.
Not a bonus.
Not a luxury.
An essential human right.

PS - Inside the RB CLUB, this is exactly what we’re doing ⬇️ Not just talking about language strategies or school meetings (though we do plenty of that too). But figuring out how to raise these incredible kids with care + intention without burning out or losing sight of what actually matters ❤️