Sign Language Class – A Bridge for Family Connection: Supporting Families of Children with Disabilities in Caring for Their Children at Home

On January 7–8, the Sign Language Training for parents of children with hearing impairments was conducted at Thuy An Center for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, in coordination with RTCCD. This was the fourth and final course in a series of four intensive training programs for families of children with disabilities in communities surrounding the Center.

The class was initially planned for 20 parents; however, 25 participants attended. Notably, each session often ended 10–15 minutes later than scheduled, as parents remained highly engaged, continuing to ask questions and practice. This strong participation reflects both the families’ commitment and the real need to strengthen communication with their hearing-impaired children at home.

Participants included mainly parents, along with several grandparents who are the children’s primary caregivers. For many of them, sign language was a completely new form of communication, requiring focus and continuous practice. Despite this, the learning atmosphere was lively and encouraging. Parents and grandparents actively volunteered to practice, while trainers and other learners supported one another in correcting each sign, letter, and movement.

The success of the course was largely due to the dedicated trainers from Thuy An Center. With many years of experience in teaching sign language to children with hearing impairments and their families, they were not only highly professional but also deeply patient, compassionate, and understanding of the daily communication challenges faced by families. Given the limited time available, the trainers prioritized the most practical topics for everyday life, enabling parents to easily remember, practice, and apply what they learned at home.

Communication plays a vital role in the relationship between parents and children. For families with hearing-impaired children, communication barriers often create concerns about emotional connection and mutual understanding. This 2.5-day training course equipped parents with essential and practical signs, opening new opportunities for easier interaction with their children and helping to build a stronger, more natural bond in daily life.

The completion of all four in-person training courses within one month demonstrates the strong collaboration between RTCCD and Thuy An Center, as well as the genuine demand from families to gain skills that support their children’s development. Following the in-person courses, the two centers will continue to offer online classes so parents can keep learning and practicing at home. In addition, community-based Parent Clubs will be established to provide spaces for parents to share experiences and support one another as they care for and accompany children with disabilities.