Spotlight on Language First: An Interview with Kimberly Ofori-Sanzo
As someone who’s spent years advocating for accessibility and inclusivity through Duke the Deaf Dog books, I know firsthand how vital it is to connect parents and educators with the right resources. That’s why I was thrilled to sit down (virtually, of course) with Dr. Kimberly Ofori-Sanzo from Language First, a fantastic organization committed to providing evidence-based resources for parents and professionals working with Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children.
If you’re new to Deaf education or just looking for ways to better support a DHH child in your life, Language First is the resource hub you’ve been searching for. From lists of ASL sign classes and Deaf camps to books featuring Deaf characters, videos with ASL, and even a fantastic parent packet from Boston University, Language First truly has it all. It’s one of the most comprehensive places to start learning and growing—and the resources keep expanding!
I first reached out to Kim a few years ago when she added my Duke the Deaf Dog books to her list of children’s books featuring Deaf characters who sign (a big thank you for that!). Since then, I’ve been inspired by her tireless work to combat language deprivation and give families and educators the tools they need to succeed. If she is new to you, Kim is a speech-language pathologist and the founder of Language First. With years of experience working with DHH students, she has witnessed the profound impact of early language acquisition on cognitive and social development.
With my new chapter books launching this fall, I’ve been updating my Resources page to include even more great tools for parents and educators. Language First was at the top of my list, so I reached out to Kim for an interview to spotlight her important work. Read on to learn more about how Language First is changing lives—one resource at a time.
The Interview
1. Can you tell us more about yourself and the inspiration behind Language First and how it came to be?
Language First was started after about five years of watching my DHH students suffer from irreversible language and cognitive deficits that affected their lives in enormous ways. I was working at a school for the Deaf and realized that many of these cases of language deprivation could have been prevented if the students’ parents had been properly informed by professionals. So I started a social media account to share evidence-based information in the hopes of changing that.
2. How does Language First support parents and educators who are new to working with Deaf children?
We have free resources for parents of Deaf children (language1st.org/parent-resources) and lots of continuing education, professional development, instructional activities, and other evidence-based resources for professionals (language1st.org/professionals).
3. Can you share some key benefits of early ASL exposure for Deaf and hard of hearing children?
Early exposure to an accessible language like ASL can ensure that DHH children fully acquire a first language (L1) from birth. This positively impacts their cognitive, social, emotional, and linguistic development and also contributes to a positive self-identity and sense of belonging.
4. What role do Deaf creators and stories featuring Deaf characters play in raising awareness and understanding?
It’s really important for Deaf children to learn from Deaf adults because, first, it’s vital that they see themselves in the adults in their lives, and second, because they need to see ASL from native language models (i.e., Deaf people).
5. What’s next for Language First? How can we follow your work?
You can follow us on Facebook (Language First), Instagram (@language1st), and/or subscribe to our email newsletter (www.language1st.org). We have a few big projects in the works that we think will really help both parents and professionals! One is a series of YouTube videos in ASL; a few are already released, so make sure to give us a follow there, too!
Why I’m Highlighting Language First
Dr. Ofori-Sanzo’s work through Language First is making a real difference for families, educators, and, most importantly, Deaf children. Their website offers an incredible range of resources, including links to ASL classes, Deaf camps, books, videos, and research-based parent materials. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to expand your toolkit, Language First is one of the most comprehensive places to begin. You can find it linked on both my For Parents and For Educators pages as a recommended resource.
Did this post inspire you? Share your thoughts in the comments or explore our Resources page for more tools to support parents and educators.
Kelly Brakenhoff is the author of 15 books and a seasoned ASL interpreter. She splits her writing energy between two series: cozy mysteries set on a college campus and children’s books featuring Duke the Deaf Dog.
Parents, kids, and teachers love the children’s books and activity guides because they introduce ASL and the Deaf community through fun, engaging stories. And if you enjoy a smart female sleuth, want to learn more about Deaf culture, or have ever lived in a place where livestock outnumber people, the Cassandra Sato Mystery series will have you connecting the dots faster than a group project coming together the night before it’s due.
A proud mom to four adults, head of the dog-snuggling department, and grandma to a growing brood of perfectly behaved grandkids, Kelly and her husband call Nebraska home.