American Sign Language Users Are Not “Limited English Proficient” — They Are Central to Our Democracy

Black-and-white photograph showing seven Deaf children from St Rita’s school in Cincinnati, ranging in age from elementary to high school, standing and sitting in front of a large American flag. Their hands are mid-motion, actively signing Star Spangled Banner, with faces focused, expressive, and alive with language. Each child’s posture and gaze convey engagement, curiosity, and connection. The photograph captures not just a moment in time but a broader story — the promise of democracy fulfilled when every child’s language is recognized, valued, and free to flourish. It is a timeless reminder that ASL and Deaf people have always been integral to America’s history and culture.

Language Access Is a Civil Right

ASL is a living expression of human intelligence and culture — not a limitation.

When a federal judge ordered the White House to reinstate American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters at press briefings, it marked more than a legal win — it was a meaningful victory for Deaf Americans. Yet a November 5th New York Post article by Victor Nava described ASL users as “limited English proficient.” Although likely unintentional, this outdated phrasing exposes a deeper misunderstanding — one that has long shaped and distorted how society perceives Deaf people and their language.

ASL is not a derivative of English, nor a sign of limitation. It is a full, complex language with its own grammar, structure, and rhythm — a living expression of human intelligence and culture. Deaf people who use ASL are bilingual and multilingual Americans. They think, reason, and connect through a visual language as rich and nuanced as any spoken language.

When Deaf adults have limited English literacy, it is often the result of language deprivation, not lack of ability. Too many Deaf children grow up without early access to a fully accessible language because systems delay or deny sign language during critical developmental years. That failure is societal and educational, not individual. When Deaf children gain early access to ASL, they thrive — linguistically, socially, and academically — becoming bilingual or multilingual in ASL, English, and heritage languages.

Access to one’s natural language is not a privilege but a human right. It allows people to participate fully in civic life — to understand, question, vote, and lead. Labeling ASL users as “limited English proficient” ignores that truth and perpetuates audism — the belief that hearing and speaking are superior to signing.

Black-and-white image of the classic “CC” symbol — two bold white letters enclosed in a dark box. For generations of Deaf and hard of hearing Americans, these two letters opened a window to the world. Yet captions alone cannot replace the depth and connection of ASL access. True democracy is realized when information is not just visible, but fully understood in the language that speaks to the mind and heart.

Captions Are Not Enough

Captions often miss tone, nuance, and emotional meaning. ASL captures it all.

Deaf Americans access information through ASL — visually, or for DeafBlind individuals, through tactile signing. ASL interpreters make communication accessible in real time, in the language Deaf people use to process and engage with the world. Captions, while helpful, cannot replace that.

English is built on sound, and only about 22% of its words are phonetically regular. Captions often miss tone, nuance, and emotional meaning. If captions were truly enough, hearing people would mute their TVs and rely on text alone — but they don’t. Sound carries emotion, depth, and context. Deaf people experience those same layers visually through ASL. Interpreters are not a convenience; they are the means through which equal access — and democracy itself — becomes real.

Captions alone cannot replace the depth and connection of ASL access. True democracy is realized when information is not just visible, but fully understood in the language that speaks to the mind and heart of Deaf Americans.

Black-and-white photo of two hands mid-sign, fingers interlaced in the same shape, symbolizing connection and flow. Each movement is precise, expressive, and alive — capturing the richness of ASL, a language that conveys meaning far beyond English words. For instance, “run” in English can mean water running, a nose running, running for office, a car running, or a run in pantyhose — each expressed uniquely in ASL.

Shifting the Narrative: Making Democracy Whole

Providing ASL interpreters is not optional; it is a legal and civil right.

Native Spanish speakers, including my mother, prefer Spanish because it is the language they understand best. Hearing Americans naturally access spoken English because it is inherently available to them. Deaf signers deserve the same linguistic right — access to information in the language that allows them to understand, engage, and participate fully. To give a better idea about the richness of the signed language, ASL is a language that conveys meaning far beyond English words. For instance, “run” in English can mean water running, a nose running, running for office, a car running, or a run in pantyhose — each expressed uniquely in ASL.

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, providing ASL interpreters is not optional or a courtesy; it is a legal and civil right. Ensuring this access is essential to full participation in a democratic society.

ASL is not simply a language for access, it is part of America’s linguistic identity. Recognizing this means seeing Deaf people not as passive recipients of accessibility, but as contributors who strengthen our democracy.

Claudia Gordon, the first Deaf Black woman lawyer who was also appointed to the White House by President Obama, signs at a podium during National African American History Month in 2014. Her leadership and advocacy for disability rights highlight the power of Deaf Americans in shaping policy at the highest levels. (Photo credit: The White House, 2014.)

Standing on the Shoulders of Deaf Giants

Deaf Americans with access can shape policy, inform decisions, and model representation at the highest levels of government.

History shows what happens when Deaf people are included at the heart of civic life. During the Obama administration, Deaf professionals Claudia Gordon and Leah Katz-Hernandez broke barriers in the White House. Gordon served as a disability rights attorney and policy advisor, while Katz-Hernandez first worked as a press assistant and research associate in the Office of the First Lady, then became Receptionist of the United States (ROTUS) — the first Deaf person to hold that West Wing position.

Deaf leadership has also been documented and celebrated in films such as Deaf President Now and Marlee Matlin’s Not Alone Anymore, both of which highlight the power of Deaf activism, resilience, and cultural pride. These stories remind us that Deaf people are not on the margins of democracy—they are at its center, continually pushing it toward greater justice. For example, Marlee Matlin has played a pivotal role in advancing captioning access for television and film and has been a strong advocate for increasing the hiring of Deaf actors. Her language of advocacy is American Sign Language (ASL).

Their leadership proved that when ASL access is guaranteed, Deaf Americans can shape policy, inform decisions, and model representation at the highest levels of government. Reinstating ASL interpreters at the White House ensures that progress continues — that Deaf Americans can move forward to improve quality of life and civic participation, rather than being pushed backward into an era of inaccessibility and exclusion.

Leah Katz‑Hernandez, a Deaf woman of Mexican‑Japanese heritage, sits in a chair with her legs crossed and her chin resting on her fist, smiling confidently at the camera. Behind her, a poster reads “Redefine Deaf …,” signaling empowerment and advocacy. Her posture conveys accessible leadership, quiet strength, and a breakthrough in civic accessibility and inclusion. During the Obama administration, she served as Receptionist of the United States (ROTUS) in the White House West Wing (2015‑2017) — a role that not only welcomed guests to America’s executive hub but symbolized the shift from exclusion to genuine access for Deaf Americans. (Photo credit: Autostraddle, 2016, “8 Disabled Women Who Are Changing the World Through Politics,” by Carrie)

Democracy, Realized

ASL access doesn’t just give Deaf Americans access to democracy — it gives America access to their brilliance, insight, and leadership.

When the White House was ordered to reinstate ASL interpreters, it wasn’t just a win for access — it was a restoration of democracy’s wholeness. Providing ASL access ensures that Deaf citizens can engage directly with the White House, federal institutions, and every facet of civic life. When Deaf Americans have equal access to information, our nation thrives — participatory, equitable, and strengthened by the leadership and voting power of Deaf communities.

More importantly, ASL access doesn’t just give Deaf Americans access to democracy — it gives America access to the brilliance, insight, and leadership of Deaf citizens. ASL interpreters make democracy two-way, ensuring Deaf Americans can participate fully while allowing our nation to benefit from their contributions.

With full language access to information and the ability to participate — from press briefings to ballots — democracy is not merely promised. It is realized.

About the author:

Julie Rems-Smario, Ed.D.

In 2021, Dr. Julie Rems-Smario graduated from the Ed.D. program at California State University, East Bay. She currently serves as an Education Programs Consultant for the Deaf Education Unit at the California Department of Education, where she is also the co-coordinator of the California Early Hearing Intervention and Detection program known as LEAD-K Family Services. In 2007, she was recognized by CNN Heroes and E-Women Network for her work with DeafHope, a nonprofit that supports Deaf survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Dr. Rems-Smario is also a co-founder of CoFusion Group, which engages in abolition work to address inequities in the educational system. www.cofusiongroup.org

11/15/2025