Our Story
Deaf Spectrum began with an idea in 2013, when founder Sage Lovell moved to Toronto and recognized a lack of accessible services, information, and resources in American Sign Language (ASL).
In 2015, Deaf Spectrum officially launched with a series of promotional ASL vlogs. Our early work served a broad range of sectors, including arts and culture, post-secondary education, community services, and health.
In 2022, we sharpened our focus on elevating Deaf arts and culture and creating opportunities for Deaf artists across Canada.
Our Mission
Deaf Spectrum champions Deaf artists in Canada by expanding opportunities to participate, create, and thrive in the arts and culture sector. We bring Deaf audiences’ perspectives to accessibility consultations, helping organizations make their programming more accessible and welcoming. Through our promotional work, we connect Deaf communities with ASL-accessible events and opportunities.
Why Work With Us?
Since 2015, Deaf Spectrum has championed high-quality ASL services, performances, and art by Deaf artists. We have helped artists gain visibility and supported arts organizations in integrating ASL accessibility into their practices. Our work is rooted in a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and Deaf artistic expression.
Our clients have included Tangled Art + Disability, The Theatre Centre, Canadian Hearing Services, Unit 2, Young People’s Theatre, Luminato Festival, CBC, ReelAbilities Film Festival Toronto, Creative User Projects, Calgary Arts Development, Ontario Arts Council, Hot Docs Canadian Documentary Festival, Roseneath Theatre, Factory Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, Toronto Fringe, ReDefine Arts, STEPS Public Art, ArtWorksTO, SummerWorks Performance Festival, Crip Rave Collective, and many others.
What Do We Offer?
Our core services include ASL vlog production, event and opportunity promotion, accessibility consultation, mentorship, and workshops.
We create ASL translations of promotional materials, exhibition statements, calls for submissions, and other content, helping organizations reach Deaf audiences.
Through social media, YouTube, and our newsletter, we share events and opportunities with Deaf communities and their supporters using text, images, and video.
We also work with non-Deaf organizers to build accessibility into their programming and create meaningful opportunities for Deaf artists and audiences to participate.