Nova Scotia teen uses American Sign Language skills to share stories with youth
Kaylee Harding combines her love of reading and her second language, American Sign Language (ASL), by sharing stories with youth across Atlantic Canada.
“If their parents don’t know sign language, it can be really hard for them to enjoy books like you or I would have when we were kids at bedtime, getting read a bedtime story,” she says.
The 16-year-old learned ASL at a young age because a family member is deaf.
Her passion inspired her to get involved with Digitally Lit - an organization focused on literary and digital practices with Atlantic Canadian youth.
From there, the initiative ASL Story Time was born.
“Kaylee came very sincerely with this idea of wanting to bridge the gap for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing,” explains Robin Grant of Digitally Lit. “And for a person of her age to have that much maturity and insight, I thought it was brilliant. So, we’re really proud of the young people that we work with.”
A partnership was formed with publishers around the region.
Digitally Lit ASL Mentor and Deaf Literacy Specialist Elphege Bernard-Wesson also joined the project.
So far, two of their signed stories are on YouTube with more to come.
It’s a project they’re thrilled to share.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity,” signs Bernard-Wesson. “And I’m hoping that the Atlantic youth understand that all stories come from our hearts. The important part is, it doesn’t matter what form it’s coming from, it all matters.”
While the videos are made for youth, the pair are encouraging everyone to visit Digitally Lit’s YouTube channel and check them out.
“Take it as an opportunity to maybe learn some ASL in a fun and different way,” adds Harding. “Even if it’s just to take someone’s order at a coffee shop.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.