jordansangalang.com

Category: Canadian Business Strategy

  • Making Accessibility Real

    How Asign Inc. Connects Organizations with Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and DeafBlind Canadians

    Hi, I’m Jordan Sangalang. I’m a Business Development Specialist at Asign Inc.—a Canadian-owned, Canadian-led company that helps organizations make their services accessible through sign language. If you’re a decision-maker, an accessibility lead, or you’re just starting to explore what inclusion looks like for your organization, this is for you.

    I’m Deaf. I’m based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. And I’ve spent my career in the space where accessibility meets business. What drives me is simple: every time an organization becomes more accessible, real people get better access to healthcare, education, government services, and opportunities they didn’t have before. That’s not just a mission statement—it’s something I’ve seen happen.

    What Asign Inc. Actually Does

    So what does Asign Inc. do? We provide two core services across Canada. Let me start with the one that changes how organizations think about accessibility.

    Asign On is our video remote interpreting platform. This is on-demand VRI. If a client needs an ASL or LSQ interpreter right now—not tomorrow, not next week—Asign On makes that happen in seconds. No scheduling. No waiting. No barriers. You open the platform, you connect, and you’re communicating. It’s the fastest way to connect with Deaf or hard-of-hearing customers, employees, or clients.

    We also offer scheduled interpreting—both in-person and remote—when you know exactly when and where you need support. And for organizations with written or pre-recorded content, we provide translation services from English into ASL and from French into LSQ.

    Bottom line: whether it’s on-demand, scheduled, in-person, remote, or translation, we build a communication solution that fits how you actually work.

    Who We Work With

    Our clients come from across sectors—financial services, government, transportation, corporate, and beyond. If your organization needs to communicate with Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or DeafBlind Canadians, we’ll build a solution that fits your specific context.

    Every sector has its own terminology, its own regulatory environment, and its own communication challenges. Our interpreters become subject matter experts on your business—so when they show up, they already understand your world.

    Who This Actually Reaches

    Let’s talk about who this work reaches: the Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and DeafBlind communities across Canada, in both ASL and LSQ. Whether someone is accessing a service, sitting in a meeting, or watching your content, our interpreting and translation work is what makes that experience equitable.

    Accessibility isn’t a checkbox. It’s about dignity. It’s about making sure no one gets left out because the information wasn’t available in their language.

    Why Organizations Choose Asign Inc.

    So why do organizations choose Asign Inc.?

    First, we’ve been doing this since 1997. That’s nearly three decades of interpreting and translation expertise. We’re certified with the International Standards Organization (ISO) and the Canadian Language Industry Association (CLIA). We’re also certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise with WBE Canada and WeConnect International.

    Second, our interpreters are professionals at the highest level. They carry security clearances ranging from Reliability to Top Secret. They receive ongoing professional development and mentorship. When you work with us, you’re getting interpreters who are continuously learning and improving.

    And third, we’re Canadian-owned and Canadian-led. We understand the Canadian landscape: the bilingual English-French context, the regulatory environment, and the unique needs of organizations operating across provinces. But more than that—we’re community-driven. We’re deeply connected to the Deaf community. Its language. Its culture. Its diversity. That connection isn’t an afterthought—it’s the foundation of everything we do.

    Trust Matters

    This introduction exists so that when someone looks me up, they know exactly who they’re dealing with before they even reach out. Trust matters in this space. When you’re hiring someone to make your organization accessible, you need to know they understand the stakes.

    You need to know they have the certifications, the experience, and the track record. Asign Inc. does. And I’m here to make sure you get the right solution—not a one-size-fits-all package, but something built around your actual needs.

    Where Do We Start?

    If you’re thinking, “Okay, where do we start?”—here’s what I’d suggest: reach out. Let’s have a conversation about what your organization needs. No pressure. We’ll talk about your goals, your audience, and whether Asign Inc. is the right fit.

    You can contact me directly, or visit asign.ca to learn more.

    Need accessible, on-demand sign language solutions for your organization? Let’s talk.

    Thanks for reading. I’m Jordan Sangalang, Business Development Specialist at Asign Inc. Looking forward to connecting.

  • The 2026 Accessibility Shift: Moving Canadian Leaders from Compliance to True Connection

    Is your organization actually ready for the 2026 accessibility shift in Canada? Or are you just hoping the policies you wrote five years ago will be enough?

    I’m Jordan Sangalang, a Deaf ASL translator and a Deaf dad here in Winnipeg. In 2026, many organizations are going to find out the hard way that simply “checking the box” on accessibility was never enough.

    Today, I want to talk about what’s changing, why I’m making a major pivot in my own professional work, and what Canadian leaders really need to know if they want to move beyond basic compliance to achieving real, lasting connection.

    The Pivot: From Success to Evolution

    If you’ve been following my journey, you know that my content recently drifted towards sales, high-ticket coaching, and business mentorship. And the truth is, I found genuine success there. I was making sales and financially, it was working.

    But that success wasn’t the final destination—it was part of the evolution.

    As I built financial stability, I started looking at the bigger picture. I realized that closing the next deal wasn’t fulfilling the deeper reason I started my career in the first place: breaking down barriers.

    I grew up Deaf, navigating systems that weren’t built for me. And now, as a father, I constantly think about what the world will look like for the next generation of Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind kids.

    I realized I don’t want to spend the next five years talking about sales funnels. I want to spend them on strategic access and inclusion.

    So in 2026, I am making a very intentional pivot. My professional focus is now 100% dedicated to strategic ASL access and inclusion for Deaf employees, customers, and families—especially right here in Canada.

    The Uncomfortable Truth About 2026 Deadlines

    Let’s talk about why this shift matters so much right now.

    In Canada, we are governed by critical legislation like the Accessible Canada Act at the federal level, and provinces like Manitoba have their own mandates, such as the Accessibility for Manitobans Act.

    These aren’t just suggestions. They are part of a massive, long-term shift in how organizations are expected to serve disabled people. For many Canadian leaders, the deadlines for 2026 are no longer “way off in the future.” They are right around the corner.

    You may already have an accessibility policy. You might have done some basic training.

    But here’s the uncomfortable truth: a lot of what passes as “accessibility” right now is still surface-level. It is built primarily to avoid complaints, not to create a culture where Deaf people are truly included.

    The Difference is Critical:

    • Compliance asks: “What do we have to do to avoid trouble?”
    • Culture asks: “What do we need to change so people can truly belong here?”

    That gap—between compliance and culture—is precisely where organizations will feel the most pressure in 2026.

    Introducing Translate It Forward: Strategic Access with Impact

    To address this gap, I am launching a new initiative: Translate It Forward.

    Here is how it works:

    On one side, I work with organizations—like yours—on premium ASL services, including high-level strategic consulting, translation for training materials, and projects that help you move from reactive compliance to proactive inclusion.

    But here is the difference: A dedicated portion of that corporate work now makes a direct impact on the community.

    This model allows us to make our services accessible and affordable for Deaf youth, families, and non-profits who need support but may lack resources.

    When your organization chooses to invest in better ASL access with me, you aren’t just meeting your legal obligations. You are actively helping to open doors for the Deaf, hard of hearing, and DeafBlind community. Every time we translate something for you, we move access forward for everyone else.

    Your Invitation: Shift from Policy to Partnership

    The 2026 accessibility shift is coming either way. My goal is to make sure that shift includes us.

    For Canadian Leaders:

    If you are an executive, an HR professional, or a decision-maker and you’re looking at 2026 thinking, “I’m not sure we’re actually ready,” this is your invitation.

    Let’s talk about where your organization is right now and what it would look like to build ASL access into your culture—not just your policy.

    Learn more.

    For My Community and Allies:

    If you are Deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind, or an ally, I need your help. Please share this post with your hearing colleagues, your boss, and on your social media pages.

    The more decision-makers who understand what’s at stake in 2026, the faster we can shift from compliance to real connection.

    🇨🇦 Ready for 2026? A Strategic Invitation for Canadian Leaders

    The shift from accessibility compliance to true inclusive culture requires strategic guidance that creates tangible impact.

    If your organization is looking beyond the basic requirements of the Accessible Canada Act and the Accessibility for Manitobans Act to build systemic, lasting ASL access, learn more about partnering with us.

    When you invest in our premium ASL translation and inclusion consulting, you directly fund the work of Translate It Forward, helping to open doors for Deaf youth and families across the community.

    Learn How Your Organization Can Partner with Translate It Forward Today.

    Learn More About ‘Translate It Forward’