The Orange City School District prides itself on “providing students with 21st century and Next Generation learning experiences to help them become lifelong learners and achievers” but Orange currently seems to be disregarding a course that is in demand by many students, an accredited course for American Sign Language (ASL). Such courses are available at comparable area schools such as Beachwood, Solon, Hudson, Warrensville, Aurora and Twinsburg. American Sign Language, or ASL, is the third most used language in the United States behind English and Spanish. ASL is recognized as a world language at all state colleges in Ohio as well as most universities in the country.

Offering ASL would allow students to learn another way and that might allow for success for some students with who have typically struggled learning a second language. Learning a foreign language is difficult for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities. ASL is unique among human languages in that it is a purely visual/kinesthetic language and is therefore processed by a different part of the brain than spoken languages. 

Offering ASL would benefit all students, not only students with learning differences. We live in a world that is supposed to be inclusive. The deaf community is still today very isolated. We need more people who can communicate with one another. Many workplaces including healthcare, education, hospitality, and retail value individuals trained in American Sign Language. Learning ASL is not only learning a language but learning a life skill as well, helping to make our world more inclusive for all.

By signing this petition, you are expressing interest in Orange High School offering American Sign Language as a World Language. The signatures of the following members of the Orange Schools community represent those interested in seeing American Sign Language offered in-person for credit in our high school.