During the Bellevue School District's regular board meeting on March 23, 2025, a powerful call for change echoed through the room as Melissa Taylor, a dual language teacher and parent, urged the board to establish a bilingual American Sign Language (ASL) program. Taylor, who has a son with hearing loss, shared her personal journey and the challenges faced by families seeking adequate educational support for deaf and hard of hearing children.

Taylor recounted her son's experience with the district, highlighting that he was placed on a minimal 504 plan instead of receiving the specialized instruction he needed. Frustrated by the lack of resources, she moved her family to Seattle, where her son now thrives in a supportive environment that fosters his ASL skills. "I hate living in Seattle, and I want to move home," she stated, emphasizing her desire for a program that meets her son's language access needs in Bellevue.

Her passionate plea resonated with the board, as she connected her request to broader themes of multilingualism and educational equity. "Everyone deserves access to their heritage language, even if it's ASL," she asserted, calling on the district to seize this opportunity for leadership and innovation in deaf education.

Taylor's testimony not only highlighted the urgent need for ASL instruction on the East Side but also underscored the potential benefits of such a program for the entire community. As the meeting progressed, her remarks left a lasting impression, prompting board members to consider the implications of expanding language programs to include ASL, which could serve as a vital resource for families in the district.