Breaking Barriers with Sign Language and Culture

Championing Inclusion Through Cultural Power

Serenity Resource Connector (SRC), in partnership with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), hosted a purpose-driven forum themed “Breaking Barriers with Sign Language and Culture.” The conversation spotlighted how culture and communication can drive inclusion and equity in Jamaican society.

Our featured guest, Omolora Wilson, Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2024, presented a clear national agenda: Signed Sealed Jamaica, a strategic initiative advancing sign language and culture in Jamaica through education reform and grassroots mobilisation.

Watch the full replay here: https://youtube.com/live/PHxJmZgy3wU

Miss Jamaica Festival Queen 2024 Champions Sign Language and Culture in Jamaica

Omolora’s journey to the crown began with a pivotal experience in 2019 when she entered the competition but did not place. She views that experience not as a defeat, but as a powerful lesson, a stepping stone that shaped her return with renewed purpose.

• Continued community involvement through student advocacy and volunteer work

• Deep connection to cultural preservation and language justice

• Inspired by the deaf community’s experiences in both rural and urban Jamaica

Her second attempt was not about recognition. It was about results, creating access for every Jamaican child to learn and be understood, regardless of hearing ability.

“Signed Sealed Jamaica”: The Initiative

Signed Sealed Jamaica is Omolora’s mandate, a bold, structured move to embed Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) into the core of Jamaica’s education system and cultural identity.

• JSL in Schools – Starting from the primary level, schools are learning to treat JSL as a regular part of instruction and interaction.

• Culture Clubs with JSL – Students are now performing folk songs, poetry, and storytelling in sign language.

• Teacher Training – Programmes like Ready to Sign are equipping educators with the tools to embed sign language confidently and consistently into everyday classroom practice.

• Community Support – From churches to local mayors, communities are rallying around the need for accessible communication.

This is more than awareness. It’s infrastructure for inclusive education and cultural equity in Jamaica.

Proven Impact on Local Communities

The transformation is already visible:

• Deaf students in participating schools are no longer isolated but are actively engaging with classmates

• Teachers report growing interest and confidence in using JSL

• Stakeholders in St. Elizabeth have committed to long-term support and implementation

  
  

These early outcomes show that strategic advocacy is already making a difference, not years from now, but starting today.

Legacy, Leadership, and Next Steps

Omolora is not just wearing a crown, she’s wearing responsibility. Her vision includes:

• Curriculum reform at the national level to include sign language access

• Policy alignment with the Ministry of Education and cultural organisations

• Encouraging future Festival Queens to lead with purpose and continuity

As she puts it: "You’re never too small or too young to influence the system around you."

Watch the Replay Now

Missed the live conversation? Watch it now and share it with your networks.

👉 Replay the full forum on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/PHxJmZgy3wU

🗓️ Community Spotlight

Have a community event, workshop, or training flyer to share?

SRC invites all partners and readers to submit their materials for visibility:

• Youth engagement events

• Deaf inclusion programmes

• Education and cultural workshops

📤 Email your flyer or announcement to: admin@serenityresourceconnector.com

Please allow 2–3 business days for content review and response.

Together, let’s connect the dots between culture, language, and real action.