Event: South African Sign Language Dissemination event
Date: 29 May 2026
Venue: CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria
Hosted by: SADiLaR in collaboration with the Child Language Development Node at Stellenbosch University
Promoting Inclusion of SASL in Digital Spaces
The South African Sign Language (SASL) Dissemination Event brought together members of the Deaf community, researchers, educators, language practitioners, technology specialists, and policymakers to showcase innovative projects advancing South African Sign Language in digital spaces. The event highlighted new digital resources, tools, language technologies, and collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen accessibility and inclusion for SASL users.
Why This Matters
The South African Sign Language was recognised as South Africa’s 12th official language. This dissemination event contributed to ongoing efforts to ensure that SASL is represented, accessible, and sustainable within the digital ecosystem through research, language technologies, educational resources, and collaborative
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9CbjXHQvvQ
Presentations & Reports
Presentations:
1. Opening and Project Overview
Presenter: Prof Heather Brookes, CLD Node, Stellenbosch University
Presentation: Towards Digital Language Resources for South African Sign Languages
2. Planned Sign Bank for South African Sign Language
Presenter: Ms Candice Morgan, Stellenbosch University
Presentation: A Stakeholder-Informed Framework for the Development of a SASL Sign Bank (Presentation of the planned digital Sign Bank initiative, aimed at creating a structured and accessible repository of South African Sign Language signs).
3. SASL Resources Showcase
- SASL online dictionary– National Institute for the Deaf, Sign Language Centre (Presenter: Mr Dirkie Ebersohn).
- DEAF instruction video for laptop and phone– Department of Computer Science, Stellenbosch University (Presenter: Mr Zander Vermeulen).
- SASL Acquisition curriculum material– Department of General Linguistics, Stellenbosch University (Presenter: Prof Kate Huddlestone).
- Handlab project– Stellenbosch University (Presenter: Ms Ayesha Ramjugernath).
- REAH, Learning Management System– REAH (Presenter: Ms Sithembile Khwela).
4. SASL Resource Inventory
Presenter: Ms Ayesha Rumjugernath, Stellenbosch University
Presentation: South African Sign Language (SASL) Resources (A comprehensive inventory of available South African Sign Language resources, highlighting existing assets and identifying future development opportunities.)
5. African Wordnet
Presenter: Ms Marissa Griesel, SADiLaR
Presentation: Developing a wordnet for South African Sign Language: Proof of concept (African Wordnet provides lexical and semantic relationships between words across African languages, supporting language technology development, research, and digital humanities applications.)
6. SASL Learner Management System (LMS)
Presenter: Ms Ayesha Rumjugernath, Stellenbosch University, with Q&A with Mr Juan Steyn, SADiLaR
Presentation: A Learner Management System for SASL texts (Presentation and demonstration of a Learning Management System designed specifically for South African Sign Language texts and learning materials for use in schools for the Deaf.)
Reports
- A proof of concept wordnet design for South African Sign Language (SASL), (Prepared by: Ms Marissa Griesel, SADiLaR)
- Inventory of traceable resources available in South African Sign Language as on 18 June 2026 (Prepared by: Dr Michelle J. White, SADiLaR, Amended by: Prof Frenette Southwood, Stellenbosch University)
- Migrating SASL Literature and Curriculum Material from DVD to a Learning Management System (Prepared by: Ayesha Ramjugernath, Handlab Project, Stellenbosch University)
- Stakeholder interview report for SADiLaR on the Development of a sign bank for South African Sign Language (SASL), (Prepared by: Candice Morgan in collaboration with Frenette Southwood)
SASL Digital Resources
- SASL videos: Highlights, testimonials, teasers etc
- African Wordnet: provides lexical and semantic relationships between words across African languages, supporting language technology development, research, and digital humanities applications.
- SALS Resources Inventory: comprehensive inventory of available South African Sign Language resources, highlighting existing assets and identifying future development opportunities.
- Learning Management System designed specifically for South African Sign Language texts and learning materials for use in schools for the Deaf.
Recommend a SASL Resource
Your feedback and contribution to promoting and including SASL in digital spaces is crucial. If you know of a South African Sign Language (SASL) resource, preferably open source, or an organisation that should be included in our inventory, please share it with us by providing as much detail as possible.
References and contact details for National Institute for the Deaf: https://nid.org.za/news/references/