Jordan Sangalang

Blog

  • Day 11: Deaf Accessibility Wins – Embracing Advocacy as a Deaf Dad

    Advocacy is something I proudly carry with me every day. It is my purpose and my calling. What started as a choice has become a powerful commitment — especially now as a Deaf dad raising Deaf daughters, while balancing my job and freelance work.

    Maturing has meant fully embracing this role with strength and clarity.

    I’ve learned there are many ways to advocate. One of the most empowering is through ongoing education and awareness — every single day, in every interaction.

    The goal is to shine a light on how policies and society were designed without Deaf people in mind. This creates unnecessary communication barriers, audist attitudes, medical pushes to “cure” deafness, discouragement of sign language (linguicism), and more. These challenges exist daily, often invisible to those not directly affected.

    While I can’t change the entire world overnight, I am committed to making a meaningful impact within my own community — one conversation at a time. Every genuine dialogue plants seeds of understanding and opens doors to real progress.

    This is how we build a stronger, more inclusive future — together.

    What about you? How do you channel your voice into advocacy — whether for yourself, your family, or your community? What’s one way you’ve seen small, consistent efforts create empowering change?

    Share your powerful stories in the comments — let’s inspire each other!

    See you tomorrow for Day 12!

  • Day 10: Deaf Accessibility Wins – From Sporadic Gigs to Global Freelance Success

    In the early stages of my Deaf Interpreting and translation freelance career, work was slow and sporadic. Gigs were few and far between. I attended workshops and trainings for upkeep and took on occasional internal assignments as an employee, but nothing consistent enough to call “side income.”

    That changed when I discovered Fiverr. At first, it didn’t even occur to me that I could use the platform. Then I came across freelance writer Alex Fasulo’s success stories and joined a private group where freelancers shared tips on gigs, ranking, pricing, marketing, delivery, and more.

    Gigs started rolling in. I ranked up, became a Top Rated seller, and was even listed as “Fiverr’s Top Recommended” in my category. I later expanded to Upwork (a very different platform) and tried Contra (with less success). Eventually, I moved repeat clients off the platforms and now work with them directly.

    My clients have come from all over the world — Australia, Asia, Europe, South America, Africa, and the U.S. It was a hands-on learning experience far beyond books or research.

    These opportunities helped me develop not just translation and video editing skills, but also business knowledge in service delivery, admin, finance, sales, and marketing. This foundation allowed me to expand into coaching a group of Deaf people who wanted to learn sales and marketing — all in ASL. It felt great to give back to the Deaf community with practical, accessible skills they couldn’t easily find elsewhere.

    What about you? Have you used freelance platforms like Fiverr or Upwork? Or what’s one unexpected opportunity that opened doors in your career?

    Share your experiences in the comments!

    See you on Monday for Day 11!

  • Day 9: Deaf Accessibility Wins – From Nervous Beginner to Freelance ASL Translator

    Years ago, becoming a Deaf translator never crossed my mind as a real career path. One of the pivotal moments that changed everything was working on a translation project alongside the internationally renowned Deaf Interpreter, Nigel Howard.

    I first knew Nigel while living in British Columbia when he was teaching Deafhood (the groundbreaking work by Dr. Paddy Ladd). Learning about Deafhood opened my eyes to my own identity. Getting the chance to work with him on translations was an honour.

    We translated pre-recorded videos in a studio. At first, I struggled badly — I could barely last 30 seconds without fumbling or falling behind the timing. There were so many retakes. Watching Nigel work smoothly and confidently inspired me. Our conversations about work ethic, preparation, and performing in front of the camera helped me build real skills and confidence.

    I also had earlier exposure through volunteering as a Deaf Interpreter / Intervenor for a DeafBlind student during high school performances — a physically demanding but valuable experience.

    Later, I gained hands-on production knowledge while working with Cynthia Benoit (founder of Eversa, formerly CBLS/SLCB) — learning about lighting, green screens, camera setup, and the full pre-production process through plenty of trial and error.

    All these experiences and the people who took a chance on me paved the way for my current freelance translation work. Today, I’m able to make content accessible in ASL on local, national, and even global levels.

    These were invaluable seeds planted along the way.

    What about you? Have you had a mentor or early experience that unexpectedly shaped your career path? Or what’s one skill you’re glad you learned through persistence?

    Share your stories in the comments!

    See you tomorrow for Day 10!

  • Day 8: Deaf Accessibility Wins – The Lasting Impact of Teaching ASL

    In yesterday’s post I mentioned teaching the MLA the sign for “congratulations.” That small moment brought back memories of my early teaching career.

    Right after completing my MA in Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University, I taught a class for students in the Teacher of the Deaf (TOD) program at the University of Manitoba. That experience opened doors to other teaching roles: instructor for Disability Studies at the University of Winnipeg, instructor for the interpreting program and Deaf literacy program at Red River College, and ASL instructor at the University of Manitoba.

    Teaching ASL never felt like just teaching a language. It was always deeply connected to Deaf culture, the local community in Winnipeg and Manitoba, and my own lived experience as a Deaf person.

    My favourite part has always been seeing what happens after the course ends. Students expanded their knowledge and went on to apply it personally and professionally. One nurse realized the importance of effective communication with Deaf patients and the need for qualified interpreters. A couple of students were inspired to become advocates, used me as a reference, and got into law school. Others went into careers working directly with Deaf people or simply became better communicators with Deaf family members, friends, and neighbours.

    To this day, some former students stay in touch or we run into each other in the community.

    The classroom is like planting seeds. When you nurture students with knowledge, empathy, and Deaf perspectives, they grow into agents of change — carrying accessibility forward wherever they go.

    What about you? Did a teacher, mentor, or course ever shift how you think about accessibility or inclusion? Or have you seen the impact of learning ASL in your own life or career?

    Share your experiences in the comments!

    See you tomorrow for Day 9!

  • Day 7: Deaf Accessibility Wins – Small Gestures, Big Connections

    Recently, I had the honour of giving a speech at a high school graduation. The MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) was also on stage. I actually knew her from years ago — we worked together at a social services agency, where I was a case manager and she was the social worker supporting the same individual. Back then, collaborating made advocating for that person’s needs much smoother.

    It was great to see her again in a different stage of our careers, still working for the same community.

    After the speeches, as we mingled with the crowd, she came up to me and asked, “What’s the sign for ‘congratulations’?” I showed her, and she practiced it right there.

    Little things like this go a long way. When someone genuinely wants to connect by learning even a small piece of our language, it moves beyond basic “access” or “inclusion.” It becomes a real human connection — being seen, understood, and valued.

    When hearing people take the initiative to learn from us, it opens up space for Deaf and non-Deaf people to coexist more naturally and authentically.

    These small, sincere moments are powerful wins.

    What about you? Have you ever had a meaningful moment where someone made an effort to learn a bit of sign language or bridge a communication gap? How did it feel?

    Share your stories in the comments — these small wins are worth celebrating!

    See you tomorrow for Day 8!

  • Day 6: Deaf Accessibility Wins – From Nodding Hello to Real Conversations

    For years, when I walked my daughter to school, the drop-off spot was the same routine: nods, smiles, waves, and quick goodbyes. As a Deaf parent, communication barriers made anything deeper difficult. Gestures were usually the best we could do.

    This went on for weeks until some parents started learning basic signs from YouTube — “Hi, I’m Trevor. Nice to meet you. How are you? I’m fine.” It was a nice shift from pure gesturing to a mix of signs, gestures, and superficial chats about the weather.

    Of course, learning a few signs doesn’t mean full conversations. When it was my turn to respond, things would slow down. Real connection only happens when both sides can understand and express themselves comfortably.

    One day, I used VRI On-Demand at the drop-off. The parent I usually gestured with was impressed. Suddenly we could have a real conversation. I learned he was a web developer and his wife was a nurse. Word spread, and I started learning more about other parents — a home technician, landlord, construction worker, retired teacher, and several running home-based businesses.

    VRI On-Demand helped “speed up” the process of getting to know each other when communication barriers were removed. While learning ASL is valuable and takes time, tools like VRI make meaningful interactions possible right away.

    These small moments at school drop-off turned into real community connections — and that’s a beautiful accessibility win.

    What about you?

    Have you experienced a moment where better communication tools helped you connect more deeply with other parents, neighbours, or people in your community?

    Share your story in the comments!

    See you tomorrow for Day 7!

  • Day 5: Deaf Accessibility Wins – Communicating Through Windows

    Yesterday, a door-to-door sales rep came by asking about our phone and internet service. I wasn’t available to speak with him, so my spouse met him at the front door. She explained that I’m Deaf and we communicate in ASL.

    The rep was surprised — and impressed — that we could communicate clearly through the windows using sign language. My spouse stayed outside while I stayed inside working, and we were still able to have an accessible conversation.

    This is one of those small but meaningful examples of Deaf Gain — the unique advantages that come with being Deaf, such as the ability to communicate visually over distances where spoken language wouldn’t work.

    The rep was there because his company is installing fibre optic lines in our area and looking for people interested in switching for faster internet. The conversation was quick and low-pressure, and my spouse handled most of it while I jumped in when needed.

    Moments like this remind me how valuable ASL is for real-time communication. Of course, learning sign language takes time for most people. That’s where VRI On-Demand could be a game-changer — instant connection with a qualified interpreter right at the door.

    I’ll share more about my own VRI On-Demand experiences in a future post.

    What about you? Have you had a creative or unexpected accessibility win in everyday situations like this? Or what’s one small change that made communication easier for you?

    Share your stories in the comments!

    See you on Monday for Day 6!

  • Day 4: Deaf Accessibility Wins – Advocating as a Deaf Dad

    As a Deaf dad with Deaf daughters, advocacy is a constant part of life. From asking people to repeat themselves, using voice-to-text on my phone, writing notes, or requesting ASL interpreters — I’ve done it all. Advocating for interpreters is often hit-or-miss because funding isn’t always in place.

    Now that I have Deaf daughters, I’m advocating not just for myself, but for them, their Deaf friends, and other Deaf families (including hearing parents of Deaf children). The responsibility compounds.

    A Recent Win Recently, we signed our Deaf kids up for soccer. All the Deaf children ended up on the same team. The league was funded solely by registration fees, so they hadn’t planned for interpreters. We reached out to an organization that has dedicated funds reserved for ASL interpreters and connected them with the league.

    It was smooth sailing. The league coordinator was proactive, and we secured interpreters for games, wind-up events, and more. With clear communication and the right people involved, the coaches could communicate effectively with the Deaf players and parents — and vice versa.

    This experience showed me that knowing how and where to advocate makes all the difference. When the right motives, funding, and guidance come together, accessibility wins become possible.

    What about you? Have you had to advocate for accessibility in sports, school, or community activities? What worked well, or what would have made it easier?

    Share your experiences in the comments — your stories help all of us learn and grow.

    See you tomorrow for Day 5!

  • Day 3: Deaf Accessibility Wins – My First VRI On-Demand Experience

    A few weeks ago, we had severe weather — hail, pouring rain, and even a tornado warning. Many homes in the area had flooded basements because their sump pumps stopped working when the power went out. That got me thinking about home systems and accessibility.

    It reminded me of when we needed to replace our old gas-powered boiler. It wasn’t up to code, had asbestos, and the emissions made the basement unsafe for my family. We reached out to a couple of HVAC companies for quotes. When their reps came to our house, it was the first time I tried VRI On-Demand services.

    At the time, it was still a pilot project using U.S.-based interpreters. It was incredibly convenient — no need to pre-book an interpreter. When the reps arrived (often within a wide time window), I could simply connect instantly on the device. I was able to understand the product presentations, ask questions, and make informed decisions.

    That firsthand experience showed me how powerful on-demand interpreting can be for Deaf Canadians. We already have Canada VRS (free for Deaf callers, funded by the CRTC), but VRI On-Demand is different — it’s typically paid for by businesses, organizations, or healthcare providers when serving customers.

    While some VRI On-Demand services exist now, many still rely heavily on non-Canadian interpreters or mixed pools. True accessibility means having reliable Canadian ASL/LSQ interpreters available when needed.

    If you’ve used VRI On-Demand at home, work, or in public — or if this is something you’d like to see more widely available — let me know in the comments!

    What about you? Have you had a positive experience with on-demand interpreting or another accessibility tool that made life easier? Share your story below.

    See you tomorrow for Day 4!

  • Day 2: Deaf Accessibility Wins – The Power of Conversations

    Hey everyone! Welcome to Day 2 of my July 2026 series: Deaf Accessibility Wins.

    One of my favourite parts of my job every day is getting the chance to have real conversations with people who aren’t familiar with ASL or Deaf access. Even though I’m not particularly fond of the words “access” and “inclusion” (they can feel like buzzwords), they’re the terms most people know and understand.

    The reality is that society wasn’t designed or built with Deaf people in mind from the start. Too often, we become an afterthought — and accessibility becomes about patching up barriers that were there in the first place.

    Until the Accessible Canada Act (ACA) was passed in 2019, accessibility wasn’t treated as a real priority. Sure, there were some features like captions and text, but rarely proper ASL or LSQ interpretation. Then came Bill C-81, which officially recognized ASL, LSQ, and Indigenous Sign Languages as the primary languages of Deaf Canadians. Change has been happening since then — slowly but surely.

    Still, progress isn’t moving at the pace many of us hoped for. Deaf people have been communicating through sign language for generations, long before these laws existed. For many hearing people, this is still new territory, which is why Deaf access often gets de-prioritized.

    At its core, this comes down to lack of awareness.

    That’s why I genuinely enjoy these conversations — whether the person is motivated by internal values (doing what’s right) or external obligations (avoiding fines or meeting requirements). Once people become aware, educated, and empowered, those conversations turn into meaningful action. They lead to real change and new opportunities for Deaf people in government, businesses, and communities.

    These dialogues are wins in themselves — small steps that build toward bigger systemic change.

    What about you? Have you ever had a conversation that shifted your perspective on accessibility? Or what’s one thing you wish more people understood about Deaf access?

    Drop your thoughts in the comments — I read every one, and these conversations are how we keep moving forward.

    See you tomorrow for Day 3!