Nigel Howard

Nigel Howard is an Adjunct Professor in the Linguistics Department at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a member of the Language Sciences program. He gained public recognition for his expressive American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation during British Columbia's provincial health officer Bonnie Henry's COVID-19 briefings, which led to a devoted following, including a Facebook fan club. His ASL 100 and 101 courses at UBC focus on foundational grammar, vocabulary, and the cultural context of ASL, emphasizing its role in fostering inclusivity and understanding of the Deaf community.

• Teaches ASL credit courses at UBC
• Featured interpreter in provincial health briefings
• Advocates for Deaf culture and language accessibility

Howard highlights the cognitive benefits of ASL for Deaf children and aging populations, challenging misconceptions that frame Deafness as a medical condition rather than a cultural identity. His work addresses systemic gaps in classroom accommodations and interpreter visibility in media.