Manitoba Deaf Community

07/16/2026

Hearing parents of Deaf babies are still often told they have to pick one: spoken English or ASL. You don’t.

Your Deaf child can learn both, and having access to ASL from the start gives them more ways to communicate, connect, and thrive.

You have options, and you have support.

07/03/2026

I hope everyone is having a great summer!

I realized it has been about a month since the Sign Languages Act received Royal Assent on June 1, 2026. As far as I know, there is still no official ASL or LSQ translation of the Act.

For those who are interested, I've attached the Act to this post.

Do you think legislation like this should be made available in ASL and LSQ to ensure Deaf communities can access and understand it in their primary languages?

I'd love to know what you think. Please share your thoughts, perspectives, or experiences in the comments below.

06/15/2026

This site contains information on Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, Votes and Proceedings, Question Period, Order Paper, Bill Status, Legislation, Legislative Committees, Hansard Services and various information for the public.

06/03/2026

Hello everyone,

It has been some time since our last update following the Language Deprivation Town Hall, and we wanted to share where things currently stand.

Please know that there has been a great deal of work happening behind the scenes. Community members and advocates have been engaged in meaningful discussions about language deprivation and its serious impact on the Deaf community, particularly Deaf and hard of hearing children who are denied access to the language that is most accessible and inclusive for them during their critical language development years.

Progress has been slower than we had hoped. We requested a meeting with government ministers to discuss these concerns directly. Instead, we were referred to the Manitoba Accessibility Office and met with representatives rather than the ministers themselves. While we were disappointed by this outcome, we appreciated the opportunity to share our concerns and experiences.

During the meeting, we shared stories from parents of Deaf children who were advised by medical professionals not to learn ASL. We also discussed cases where families experienced barriers because they intended to include ASL as part of their child's language development plan alongside spoken English. In addition, we presented our recommendations and outlined the changes we believe are necessary to address language deprivation in Manitoba.

Following that meeting (at least a month later), we received the letter below.

We would like comments from the community. What are your thoughts on this response? Please feel free to share your comments below or send a private message if you have questions, feedback, or experiences you would like to discuss.

This is only the beginning of the conversation. We remain committed to ensuring that language deprivation and its impact on Deaf and hard of hearing children continue to be heard, understood, and addressed. We will keep engaging with decision-makers, sharing community experiences, and advocating for meaningful change and improvement within the Deaf community.

We encourage everyone to keep this conversation productive, constructive, and focused on progress. By working together and continuing to share our voices and experiences, we can help create a more accessible and inclusive future for Deaf and hard of hearing children and families in Manitoba—and ultimately...

END LANGUAGE DEPRIVATION for our Deaf children.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement.

06/01/2026

Over the weekend, three Deaf organizations — the Manitoba Deaf Association, Manitoba Cultural Society of the Deaf, and Manitoba Deaf Sports Association — held their AGMs. New boards were elected, with some returning board members staying on.

This matters for allies and for parents of Deaf family members. If you reach out to these organizations, they can share access and resources covering education, sports, arts, and every other aspect of Deaf life.

If you're not sure where to start, feel free to send me a message and we can refer you to the relevant board.

Once again, congratulations to the newly elected boards. We’re looking forward to the direction ahead and the future of Manitoba’s Deaf community.

Send a message to learn more

06/01/2026

This week is National AccessAbility Week and right here in Manitoba, it’s also Manitoba Accessibility Awareness Week.

For nearly two decades, Barrier-Free Manitoba (BFM) has worked alongside people with disabilities and the organizations that support them to push for the full and meaningful implementation of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA).

All this week, we’ll be sharing what Manitoba has accomplished, where gaps remain, and what a truly barrier-free Manitoba looks like because accessibility isn’t charity. It’s a human right.

All this week, we’ll be sharing what Manitoba has accomplished, where gaps remain, and what a truly barrier-free Manitoba looks like because accessibility isn’t charity. It’s a human right.

06/01/2026

In 2013, Manitoba made a promise.

The Accessibility for Manitobans Act was passed with broad, cross-party support and the endorsement of disability organizations across the province. It was a commitment to remove the barriers that prevent Manitobans with disabilities from fully participating in community life, in buildings, on transit, at work, and in communications.

The AMA set out five areas where standards would be developed and implemented. It set deadlines. It established a compliance framework. And it embedded the language of human rights.

Thirteen years later, that promise hasn’t been fully kept - yet. This week, we’re talking about where we are, what still needs to happen, and why it matters to the 1 in 3 Manitobans living with a disability.

05/23/2026

05/13/2026

💙 Happy Monday, MSD family!

It’s been heartwarming to see so many of you liking, sharing, and loving this page. Your support shows just how strong our community is.

We’re excited to share that MSD is hosting a Yard Sale on Friday, May 22 and Saturday, May 23, 2026 right here at 242 Stradford Street!

You might see some of us call it a “garage sale,” but we’re taking it outside — so it’s a true yard sale ☀️

Want to help?
📦 We’re accepting donations! Email [email protected] or [email protected] to arrange a drop-off.

💵 All money raised will go directly to Student Council and MSD Graduation 2026.

👉 See the image below for full event details, times, and what we’re looking for!

Alumni, parents, neighbours — come find a treasure, say hello, and support our students. We can’t wait to see you there!

Drop a 🛍️ in the comments if you plan to stop by, and tag a friend who loves a good yard sale!



Note: This page is not officially monitored by Manitoba School for the Deaf staff or administration. For any questions, enrollment information, or official matters, please visit the MSD official website: www.msd.ca and use the contact form or phone 204-945-8934 (voice/TTY).