1️⃣ Who are you trying to reach?
Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW)
Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) Board of Education
 
2️⃣ What do you want them to do?
Provide all educational testing in American Sign Language (ASL) format for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students in Ohio.
 
3️⃣ Why is this important?

✋🏽 Provide All Educational Testing in ASL Format for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students in Ohio
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students deserve equal access to education.
We are calling on the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to provide testing materials in American Sign Language (ASL) format — so all students can truly demonstrate what they know, not just how much English they can read.

Currently, most exams — from classroom tests to state assessments — are written only in English. For students whose primary language is ASL, this creates a serious language barrier and can unfairly affect their scores.

Providing tests in ASL format ensures equity, comprehension, and fairness for Deaf learners across Ohio.

 
🧩 We ask for:
The Ohio Department of Education to develop and approve ASL video-based testing for all standardized assessments.
CMSD to pilot ASL-format testing options for students whose IEP identifies ASL as their primary language.
Permission for students to use digital ASL tools (like HandSpeak or ChatGPT) for translation and comprehension — WITHOUT giving answers.
Collaboration with certified Deaf educators and interpreters to ensure accurate and respectful translations.
A statewide commitment to testing access in ASL for all Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students.
 
💬 Why this matters
ASL is a complete, natural language — not a visual version of English.
Written-only exams exclude many Deaf students from showing their true knowledge. By providing testing in ASL, we ensure every student has a fair chance to succeed and that their education truly reflects their abilities.

This is not about giving advantages. It’s about giving equal access.

 
🧠 Who this helps
Thousands of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students across Ohio — including my Children like Owen and Cassandra — who rely on ASL every day for learning, communication, and self-expression.

 
📣 Join us in demanding equity for Ohio’s Deaf students!
Sign this petition and share it with teachers, interpreters, parents, and advocates who believe every child deserves to learn and test in the language they understand best — ASL.