A Deaf man named Richard MacQueen thought he had HIV for two days because the hospital failed to provide a qualified sign language interpreter. MacQueen was in the hospital with pneumonia and had an HIV test. When the results came back, there was no interpreter, so he asked a family member to help. However, the family member did not understand the medical signs well. A nurse who knew only a few signs in British Sign Language (BSL) tried to explain. She signed “HIV” and gave a thumbs-up. MacQueen misunderstood and believed the thumbs-up meant he tested positive and was going to die. He spent two days terrified. When a trained interpreter finally arrived, they explained that his test was negative. The nurse’s thumbs-up had meant the results were good. MacQueen was relieved, but also upset that he had received such an important message without proper communication. He shared his story to support SignPort, a new app that connects Deaf people with interpreters within minutes. Before this service, many Deaf patients waited days or even weeks for language access in hospitals. MacQueen says hospitals must ensure safe and clear communication for Deaf people. Many still do not. In one case in the United States, a Deaf mother could not understand doctors while her son was dying. In the United Kingdom, a Deaf woman did not know she had a miscarriage because no interpreter was provided. These situations cause fear, confusion, and serious harm. They are a form of discrimination in healthcare.

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The government of British Columbia has cancelled a program called CFR #206764. This program was created to help Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children develop early language and communication skills. The decision has shocked and upset families, the Deaf community, and supporters. Many say the program was extremely important for young children. The program took two years to develop, but the government cancelled it without giving a clear reason. Community members say the government did not consult with Deaf people before ending it. Many feel disrespected and ignored, and say the decision has damaged trust between the Deaf community and the government. Families and advocates are now writing letters and signing petitions to bring the program back. They say that language is a human right. Deaf children need early access to language during the most important years of brain development. Without language, children can fall behind, feel isolated, and struggle in school and later in life. Deaf-led organizations say the government must support Deaf babies and Deaf children from the start. When a child is identified as Deaf or Hard of Hearing, they should receive access to sign language and communication support right away. Babies learn through play, by seeing things, and by having the world explained to them. These early experiences help children learn to read, think, and understand the world as they grow. Early exposure to sign language is essential for healthy development.