Monica Manyanga, a deaf student at Middlesex University Dubai, has taken the bold step of teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to her peers. Her efforts promote inclusivity, break stereotypes, and inspire others to embrace the beauty of communication beyond words.
Breaking Barriers with Silence: Monica’s Inspiring Initiative
In a world where communication is key, being unable to hear can feel like a wall between two worlds. But for Monica Manyanga, a deaf student at Middlesex University Dubai, this wall became a platform. Instead of allowing her disability to define her limits, Monica used it to redefine possibilities — not just for herself, but for an entire university community.
Monica’s journey is more than inspiring; it’s a story of strength, self-belief, and social change. What started as a personal challenge evolved into a movement of awareness, acceptance, and accessibility. Her idea? Teaching American Sign Language (ASL) to her fellow students. Her goal? To build bridges where silence once stood.
Why Sign Language Matters
Most people take verbal communication for granted. We speak, we listen, we respond — often without giving much thought to the fact that not everyone can do the same. For deaf individuals, the world can feel like a crowded room where everyone is talking but no one understands them.
That’s where sign language comes in. It’s not just a method of communication — it’s a lifeline. It enables those who are deaf or hard of hearing to express themselves fully and to connect with others on their terms. And yet, in many parts of the world, including in educational institutions, there’s still a lack of awareness and accessibility for the deaf community.
Monica knew this from experience. She lived it every day. And instead of accepting that silence, she decided to speak — with her hands.
A Student Becomes a Teacher
Monica’s idea to teach ASL wasn’t part of a course requirement or a university project. It came from her heart. She wanted to create a space where communication didn’t depend on hearing — where anyone could learn to listen with their eyes.
She began organizing sessions at Middlesex University Dubai, inviting students from all departments to join. What she thought might be a small group quickly grew. Word spread, and curiosity turned into commitment. Students were eager to learn — not just the hand gestures and facial expressions of ASL, but the meaning behind it all.
In her classes, Monica didn’t just teach vocabulary and grammar. She taught understanding. She shared what it feels like to be misunderstood, overlooked, or excluded. Through her openness, she helped others walk in her shoes, even if only for a moment.
Her classes were interactive, filled with laughter, challenges, and the occasional frustration of getting a sign wrong — but they were also filled with empathy and growth. Every session became more than a language class; it became a community where people started to see beyond ability and disability.
Changing Perspectives
One of the most powerful outcomes of Monica’s work was the shift in mindset it created. For many of her peers, interacting with a deaf person was new territory. Some admitted they had never even thought about learning sign language before. Others realized how many unconscious biases they carried.
Monica’s presence — strong, intelligent, and capable — shattered those biases. She proved that deafness is not a weakness, but simply a different way of experiencing the world. Her initiative encouraged students to reflect on how society often fails to accommodate difference — and how that can change, one person at a time.
Classmates who once hesitated to approach her now greeted her with signs. Professors began incorporating more inclusive practices. And most importantly, the university began to feel like a more welcoming space for students of all abilities.
Empowering the Deaf Community
Monica’s impact goes far beyond the classroom. By teaching ASL, she is empowering not just hearing students, but the deaf community as well. When more people understand sign language, deaf individuals are no longer isolated. They can participate more fully in conversations, classrooms, and social events.
Her work also challenges the idea that deaf individuals need to adapt to a hearing world. Instead, it shows that hearing people can and should make the effort to learn how to communicate differently. Inclusion isn’t about asking the minority to fit in — it’s about creating a world where everyone can thrive as they are.
Monica’s example is a reminder that leadership doesn’t require a loud voice. Sometimes, it’s the quiet determination of someone who refuses to be sidelined that leads the greatest change.
A Step Toward an Inclusive Future
What Monica has done at Middlesex University Dubai is more than teach a language. She has initiated a cultural shift. Her story is proof that students have the power to influence their institutions, to shape conversations, and to create spaces where diversity is not just accepted, but celebrated.
Her journey also opens the door for future conversations about accessibility in education. Should sign language be taught as part of the school or university curriculum? How can institutions better support students with disabilities? How can awareness be turned into action?
These questions matter — and thanks to Monica, they’re now being asked.
Even without hearing a sound, Monica Manyanga’s voice is loud and clear. Through her ASL classes, she is showing her peers how to connect with empathy, listen with intention, and communicate beyond the limits of speech. Her story is a reminder that one student, one idea, and one initiative can create ripples of change — not just in a university, but in the hearts and minds of everyone willing to learn.
