A Shared Language of Care: Supporting Both Deaf and Hearing Children
ASL Translation coming soon.
For Sherri Kelley and Jasmine Bundalian, working as Support Workers in a Child Home Services group home is all about connection. While they are both Deaf, they support both Deaf and hearing children. They bring years of experience, cultural knowledge, and a deep commitment to creating safe, happy environments where all children can thrive.
Sherri began her career many years ago, working casually in a variety of support positions with the Children’s Home of Winnipeg. When the organization evolved into New Directions, she continued her journey, eventually becoming a full-time Direct Support Worker in a group home with children. Jasmine joined New Directions in 2015. She had been working in a foster setting when she learned of an opportunity to provide support in a group home. Originally from the Philippines, Jasmine’s first language is Filipino Sign Language, a unique language with its own words and grammar. She has since become fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and now uses it daily. She met Sherri while supporting a shared client in foster care and transitioned to her current role five years ago. Together, they work in a group home that can support up to four children. At the moment, there is one child in the
home, with two more expected to arrive soon. Their work includes supporting both Deaf and hearing children, many of whom experience communication challenges.
“Right now, we are working with hearing kids, and they are wonderful,” Sherri explains. Many are motivated to learn basic signs, and both Sherri and Jasmine teach them simple ASL. They also work with hearing staff to help the children learn to express their feelings. Communication, they emphasize, is key. Sometimes it takes time, depending on the child, but with time and patience, frustration decreases and confidence grows.
Jasmine, who has primarily worked with hearing children, acknowledges the initial uncertainty some children feel. “They don’t know who I am at first,” she explains. “But once they begin to understand, they are interested to learn.” Children adapt quickly. They use gestures like thumbs up and thumbs down, tap gently to get attention, and incorporate Deaf cultural norms. “They’re very smart,” she says. “It’s beautiful to see.”
For both Jasmine and Sherri, safety is the top priority. Creating a secure environment allows children to focus on growth, whether that means improving behaviour, or learning healthier ways to communicate. Sherri finds fulfillment in helping children replace negative behaviours with positive ones. Jasmine cherishes the simple joy of summer activities, swimming, walks, and shared experiences that build trust.
Working as Deaf professionals in a mixed Deaf and hearing environment also brings challenges. New staff are
sometimes surprised to meet Deaf colleagues. Communication may happen through text, written notes, gestures, or basic sign. While most colleagues are supportive, Sherri believes more can be done to build understanding. She encourages all staff, including casual and part-time, to take the Deaf culture workshops offered by New Directions to better understand how to work collaboratively and respectfully with Deaf team members. “We want to be equal,” Jasmine says. “We have a lot of experience. We want that to be respected.”
After nearly two decades, Sherri measures success simply: “Seeing the kids happy, that’s it.”
