The “I CAN SIGN” Program

2 women smiling while holding a banner that says "Sign language unites us"
2 women smiling while holding a banner that says "Sign language unites us"

The “I Can Sign” Program is the flagship initiative of CODAH (Champions of Deaf Awareness and Humanity Initiative), launched in 2019 by our founder. Inspired by her lived experience in a Deaf family, the program was created to address the communication gap between the Deaf and hearing communities and to challenge the biases both conscious and unconscious that fuel stigma against Deaf individuals.

Why This Matters

In Nigeria, Deaf individuals are often excluded from full participation in education, family life, and society due to communication barriers. The “I Can Sign” Program provides a practical, impactful solution by promoting sign language education and Deaf cultural awareness among hearing individuals.

The program offers tailored sign language training through three major pathways:

Our Approach

This initiative focuses on integrating sign language education into primary and secondary schools across Nigeria. It equips hearing students with the skills to communicate with their Deaf peers and promotes a more inclusive learning environment from an early age.

School-Based Project

2.

Target Audience

Hearing students (primary and secondary level)

Reach

10,000+ students in 25 schools trained

Format

Classroom sessions, after-school clubs, and virtual modules.

Family-based Project

3.

Parents, caregivers, teachers, and special educators.

This track supports families, caregivers, and educators of Deaf children, equipping them with the tools to foster strong communication and inclusive support at home and in the classroom.

Target Audience

500 participants trained nationwide.

Reach
Format

Workshops, online classes, and in-community sessions.

1.

Fellow-Led Project

This project focuses on training deaf and hearing advocates between the ages of 18-30 in Sign language proficiency and inclusive advocacy technique with a focus on promoting early language access and participation for deaf children.
Target Audience

Deaf and Hearing Youths (Between ages 18-30)

Reach

Over 101 youths trained, delivering 50 workshops

Workshops, online classes, and in-community outreach

Format

Impact So Far

Get involved

Whether you are a student, educator, parent, or simply passionate about inclusion, the “I Can Sign” Program welcomes you!

  • Join a Class

  • Enroll Your School

  • Partner with Us