Students learn sign language during recess to help deaf classmate feel included
Students learn sign language during recess to help deaf classmate feel included – Source: verywell.com
There’s a special group of fifth graders in Peoria, Illinois who are devoted to making one of their classmates feel more included. They are learning sign language during recess so that their hearing-impaired peer, Rhemy, doesn’t feel left out.
Rhemy Elsey, a fifth grader at Mark Bills Middle School in Peoria, Illinois, was born deaf. Although he has cochlear implants, Rhemy relies on signing and an interpreter for much of his ability to communicate with others.
In an effort to include Rhemy in their conversations, his classmates came up with a remarkable plan: they started learning the American Sign Language (ASL) during recess.
The entire class recites the Pledge of Allegiance every morning in ASL. Furthermore, the fifth graders took things a step further and put together an American Sign Language club which meets every Wednesday during recess.
“I wanted to be able to talk to Rhemy and I wanted to be able to communicate with him,” one of Rhemy’s classmates said. “I think this makes him feel like he’s part of the group and not left out. If there’s somebody who is different, they shouldn’t be left out of a group just because they’re different.”
Students learn sign language during recess so that their hearing-impaired peer doesn’t feel left out. Source: Tammy Arvin
The fifth graders practice their signing skills with Rhemy and his interpreter, Tammy Arvin. According to Arvin, the children are learning more each week, and Rhemy’s ability to communicate with his classmates has improved greatly thanks to the ASL club initiative.
“It’s like they want to be like me,” Rhemy said. “It makes me feel happy.”
As an expression of his gratitude, Rhemy has given his classmates their own unique signs and nicknames.
“It’s stories like Rhemy’s that makes Hearing Health Foundation hopeful that the stigma of having a hearing loss is disappearing,” a spokesperson for the organization said. “It’s refreshing to hear these stories about children taking the initiative to learn how to best communicate with their hard of hearing peers. It provides hope for a more inclusive future for all people.”
