Striving to remove barriers that prevent us from building Vibrant, Diverse, Inclusive, Accessible Communities!
A California family’s lunch turned into a reminder that removing communication barriers is everyone’s job. When a cashier at a busy counter noticed a young customer was communicating in American Sign Language, he met the child in his language instead of expecting the child to adapt.
Callie Foster describes how her son Luca was identified with hearing loss as an infant and how their family committed to language access from the start. Learning ASL together wasn’t instant or perfect, but each new sign strengthened connection at home and centered Luca’s identity rather than the barrier.
That groundwork mattered when a cashier named Moises asked Luca for his name using ASL. Luca proudly fingerspelled it—unprompted—turning an everyday interaction into self-expression, confidence, and evidence that access is possible when people choose to meet in the middle.
The moment resonated online because it shows what inclusion looks like in real life: basic language skills, patient communication, and respect for Deaf culture. These small choices—by families, schools, and service workers—build a world where participation isn’t exceptional; it’s expected.
Read the Full Article: She took her deaf son out to eat, what the server did left her stunned.
By: Jack Beresford
