Deaf students protest staff cuts

A group of students from the Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf waved signs to the speeding, honking traffic Friday morning in protest of scheduled cuts at the school.

The students were protesting the upcoming lay off of six full time support staff locally, which is among the 56 other specialty staff being laid off across Ontario.

Students are worried the loss of support staff would lead to their education would be hampered because mainstream public schools would not be able to accommodate them.

Julie Ripley-Kelly, the 18-year-old student from Sir James Whitney, led the protest.

“We will suffer without our staff, as we are vulnerable students If staff are removed, we will have a hard time dealing with inexperienced teachers. We would have to fight even more – probably in front of city hall,” said Ripley-Kelly.

The recent layoffs are being blamed on the Drummond report, a provincial study examining options to reduce government spending. One of the recommendations in the report is to combine the three deaf schools of Ontario together.  The two others are located in Milton and London.

The students expressed fear these layoffs are an indication the local school may close.

There are 40 to 50 students in the elementary portion and 30 to40 who are in secondary school.

If the schools are combined, there is a possibility that they would have to relocate to either of the other deaf schools.

Ripley-Kelly finds the notion this would happen just to save money upsetting.

“Only approximately only .07 per cent of the budget is spent for deaf student’s education and that is considered “too much” to ask for,” she said.

Ontario Association of the Deaf President Wayne Nicholson was also at the protest.

“I’m out here to show my support of these students. I want to make the rights of deaf children known to the ministry of education, especially since they are vulnerable students,” said Nicholson.

Sir James Whitney School principal Linda Ritchey did not wish to be interviewed.

The Sauve family were out in full force at the protest. Six-year old Vaylena, Owen, 9, and sister Tersha, 17, were enthusiastic about the staff staying. They hope the protest makes a difference.

“We are proud people out there are showing their support, it shows they care and they understand [our purpose],” Tersha Sauve said.

With files from Mark Hodgins, Tyler Renaud, Jordan Merkley, Kate Shumakova