International Day of Sign Languages 2024: The Power of Sign Language for Individuals with Additional Needs

This article was written by Portobello Institute SNA tutor Fran Trehy for International Day of Sign Languages 2024. 

As a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) myself, we honour the power of sign languages, a significant tool in breaking down communication barriers and creating a more inclusive environment.

We look at the role of the Special Needs Assistant through inclusivity and accessibility, as they are the heart of everything we do.

Many individuals with additional needs including those with hearing impairments, autism, and other needs that includes communication difficulties, can benefit greatly from sign language and Lámh, which opens up new ways of expressing themselves and connect with the world around them.

By embracing sign language, we foster communication, understanding, and belonging for all. Promoting a world where every voice, whether spoken or signed, is heard loud and clear, as we celebrate the importance of sign language, a necessary tool for fostering inclusivity, accessibility, and communication.

By removing barriers, building bridges and ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability is heard and understood and participate fully in our society.

International Day of Sign Languages is a celebration of the beauty, importance, and inclusivity that sign languages bring to the global community.

It serves as a reminder of the vital role sign languages play in communication for millions of people around the world, particularly for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

However, the significance of sign language extends far beyond this group and has strong connections with the work of Special Needs Assisting (SNA).

What is Irish Sign Language (ISL) and The Role of Lámh

Irish Sign Language is the first and/or preferred language of 5000 Deaf people in Ireland and approximately 40,000 people in general will communicate in ISL (family, friends, co-workers, etc).

Irish Sign Language is different from all other sign languages such as British Sign Language, American Sign Language etc.

Special Needs Assisting is centred on supporting individuals with diverse needs, many of whom benefit greatly from alternative methods of communication.

Among these individuals are those who have hearing impairments or who face other communication challenges, such as auditory processing disorders, autism, or speech delays.

For these individuals, spoken language may not always be the most effective or natural form of communication. This is where sign languages, such as Lámh come into play.

Lámh, alongside other forms of sign language, offers an accessible way for non-verbal or minimally verbal individuals to express themselves. Using Lámh signs can reduce frustration, as the Lámh user is able to use signs to ask for what they want, to answer and to take part in conversation.

It opens a door to communication that may otherwise be limited or unavailable. By integrating sign language into their skill sets, Special Needs Assistants are better equipped to create inclusive environments where each individual is understood and supported according to their unique needs.

Sign Language in the Classroom

SNA’s can continue to remove barriers that limit participation and communication. For example, individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or speech delays often experience frustration when trying to communicate through traditional verbal means. Incorporating sign language into their daily lives gives them the tools to engage with others in a way that feels comfortable and inclusive.

In classrooms the Special Needs Assistants can use sign language to bridge gaps in communication.

Whether it’s using signs to guide a child through their daily routine, offering them a way to express their feelings, or supporting the learning of new concepts, sign language is a fantastic tool that enhances the educational and social experiences of individuals with special needs.

International Day of Sign Languages and its Broader Impact

The celebration of International Day of Sign Languages is an opportunity to discover the broader impact of sig language in creating a more inclusive world, and although it focuses on the deaf and hearing impaired community.

It is also really important to recognise the wider application of sign language in supporting those with various additional needs.

By creating greater awareness and integration of sign language into the realm of Special needs Assisting, we can therefore promote environments where all individuals regardless of need have the opportunity to express themselves fully, and offer a pathway to connection, ensuring no one is left behind.

As this day not only celebrates, but brings forward awareness, we also acknowledge communication as a human right that everyone deserves.

The focus that we all share of inclusivity, accessibility and communication, highlights the importance of sign language in supporting individuals with special needs and beyond.

About the Author

Fran Trehy - Special Needs Assisting tutor at Portobello Institute.

As I have been a Special Needs Assistant for the past 16 years, I feel I can give the student a true insight into the classroom environment. I went back to education myself in later life and after completing my Arts and Humanity degree focusing on Family Studies, the urge to stay as an SNA was so strong, so when Portobello came up to teach the level 5 and level 6 Special Needs Assisting courses, it was a dream come true in so many ways. I have had a very eventful life to date, travelling the world, working in very varied work environments for example Dublin Airport, Hospitals, and an array of other careers, one of which is being a mother to three teenager/young adults, I had a child with special needs myself who passed away very early in life so special needs is very close to my heart. I have a passion for the career and the children in my care. I hope anyone that I am lucky enough to teach will benefit from that passion.

Read more about Fran Trehy here.

View our upcoming Special Needs Assistant courses here. 

Find Out More

For more information you can book a free consultation call with our admissions advisor Jennifer Matteazzi at a time that suits you. Or you can email jennifer.matteazzi@portobelloinstitute.com or call her directly on 01 892 0031.