Chongqing - In an unprecedented move, Southwest University of Political Science and Law (SWUPL) celebrated the graduation of its first 38 students from its pioneering Legal Sign Language program. This initiative aims to bridge the communication gap for China’s 27 million deaf and mute individuals, offering them vital legal support.

This photo, taken on June 12 at the Yubei Campus of Southwest University of Political Science and Law, shows students from the Legal Sign Language program demonstrating sign language. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

Meeting the needs of 27 million deaf individuals

In January 2021, SWUPL launched China's first-of-its-kind Legal Sign Language program. To date, nearly 160 students have enrolled across four cohorts. Professor Zhang Wei, a guiding force behind the program, credits the inspiration to Tang Shuai, an alumnus and China’s first sign language lawyer. Although initially intended for deaf students, the lack of special education enrollment credentials led to an innovative solution: training hearing students in sign language to act as intermediaries.

Fan Wei, Party Secretary of SWUPL, highlighted the urgent need for legal professionals fluent in sign language, noting that China has approximately 27 million deaf individuals who require advocates to protect their legal rights. The program aims to produce well-rounded legal professionals who are proficient in sign language and capable of providing crucial legal aid to the deaf community.

Rigorous training in law and sign language

Balancing legal studies with intensive sign language training poses significant challenges for students. The program initially selected 40 freshmen through a competitive process involving both written and oral exams. However, the demanding curriculum led to some attrition, with two students leaving after the first semester.

"From Monday to Friday, we focus on our law courses. Weekends are dedicated to sign language," explained Feng Yifan, the monitor of the first cohort. Students began their sign language training from scratch, facing the added complexity of various natural sign languages used by different deaf communities.

SWUPL employed a diverse team of special education teachers, sign language lawyers, and public legal service professionals to address the unique challenges of teaching legal sign language. Notable mentors include Tang Shuai, China’s first sign language lawyer, and Tan Ting, the country’s first deaf lawyer. 

The school also developed a 20-episode Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on legal sign language and compiled a lexicon of 890 essential legal sign language terms, ensuring students are well-prepared for real-world legal scenarios.

Extending legal services to special groups

The impact of the Legal Sign Language program extends beyond the classroom. The "Law Speaks" Special Group Legal Service Innovation Studio, led by program students, collaborates with various legal and educational institutions to provide pro bono services. This includes legal consultations, document drafting, representation in legal matters, and creating educational content that has garnered over a million views online.

This photo shows students from the Legal Sign Language program at Southwest University of Political Science and Law providing volunteer legal aid to the deaf community in Ciqikou Street, Shapingba District of Chongqing. (Photo provided by interviewees)

Professor Zhang proudly shared that many graduates continue their education, pursue legal careers, or join related legal advisory roles in enterprises and institutions. Among the 38 graduates, 12 have been selected for Chongqing's Deaf Legal Aid Sign Language Translator Talent Pool, ready to act as crucial links in legal proceedings involving deaf individuals.

"These students have acquired a unique skill, using their hands to communicate and bring warmth through legal services to special groups," Zhang added. The graduates stand as a testament to the power of innovation in legal education, poised to significantly contribute to the inclusivity and accessibility of legal services in China.

(Li Zhifeng and Zheng Yu, as Chinese reporters from Chongqing Daily, also contributed to this article.)