At UWC ISAK Japan, leadership is about action—about identifying challenges, stepping into discomfort, and using diversity as a strength. For Annie, the founder of I See Life, leadership began with a personal realization: true inclusion is not just about diversity; it’s about making the active choice to build bridges where barriers exist.
The Inspiration Behind I See Life
The journey of I See Life began with Annie’s grandfather, whose hearing loss gradually turned conversations into silence. “I longed to connect with him in ways that words and sound could no longer bridge,” she shared. That longing led her to a deeper awareness of the challenges faced by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community—people whose struggles often go unseen in a world designed for the hearing.
This realization became even more pressing when Annie reflected on her experiences at UWC ISAK Japan. “We are consistently encouraged to connect and learn from one another,” she said, “yet an entire group of people can remain isolated simply because they have a disability.” Determined to take action, she launched I See Life as a leadership project during her Grade 10 year, using it as a platform to foster understanding and inclusion. Along with her team, she reached out to local deaf schools to better understand their experiences. One particular visit to a school in Nagano was a turning point.During a conversation with an English teacher there, Annie was struck by a painful truth: the deaf community often exists in an in-between space—not fully recognized as disabled, yet not fully included as able-bodied. “I realized how deeply unfair the world can be for some people, forcing them to continually justify their existence and navigate barriers most of us never even notice,” Annie recalled. This realization became the driving force behind I See Life.
From Awareness to Action
At its core, I See Life is about connection—bridging the gap between hearing and deaf communities through education, cultural exchange, and technology. The project has taken shape through several key initiatives:
ASL Workshops: Hosting sessions during Human Rights Day and as part of Annie’s Grade 10 leadership project in Spring Project Week to raise awareness and teach basic signing skills.
Cultural Exchange: Partnering with the Nagano Deaf School for interactive learning experiences.
Ongoing ASL Classes: Establishing weekly sign language lessons for the ISAK student body to encourage sustained engagement.
Technology for Inclusion: Developing a prototype for a sign language learning app, inspired by platforms like Duolingo, using machine learning.
Global Connections: Collaborating with sign language learning communities at UWC Changshu China (Sign by Side) and UWC Adriatic to amplify impact.
These initiatives reflect Annie’s deep-seated belief in fostering inclusion. “While diversity is a fact of life, inclusion is a choice,” she emphasized. Through I See Life, she is taking tangible steps toward creating a world where that choice is made every day.
A Transformative Moment
The impact of I See Life can be seen in the moments of connection it has sparked. One such moment occurred during the visit to the Nagano Deaf School. “After lunch, a senior student pulled me aside,” Annie recalled. Knowing Annie wasn’t fluent in sign language, the student used a whiteboard to communicate, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage with the hearing community. She shared that the experience had broadened her perspective—not just on the hearing world but also on the possibility of connecting internationally, something she had never considered before.
Weeks later, Annie received an unexpected message. The student had begun researching study-abroad opportunities, inspired by the interaction. “That experience taught me something profound: sometimes, all it takes is one person’s willingness to open up for incredible things to unfold,” Annie reflected. “In that moment, the language barrier disappeared. Connection doesn’t always require words.”
Leading with Purpose
For Annie, leadership is about more than just vision—it’s about action, empathy, and integrity. “In I See Life, I’ve led by listening—not just to the needs of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, but also to the questions and concerns of those who may not fully understand,” she said. From learning sign language herself to building relationships with the deaf community, she has immersed herself in the work, ensuring that every step reflects the project’s values.
Her experience at UWC ISAK Japan has played a key role in shaping her approach. “Ensuring equitable rights has been one of my core values for as long as I can remember,” she explained. “At ISAK, diversity isn’t just a concept—it’s a lived experience. This environment gave me the confidence to turn an idea into action.”
What’s Next for I See Life?
The work is far from over. I See Life is growing, with recent or upcoming initiatives:
March 6th Event for World Hearing Day: Organizing immersive role-playing scenarios to help participants experience the challenges faced by the hard-of-hearing community.
Expanding Outreach: Planning future visits to additional local deaf schools.
Interactive Learning Platform: Creating an online hub to make educational resources widely accessible.
Fundraising for Inclusion: Hosting events to bring together the hearing and deaf communities in meaningful ways.
For Annie, the hope is that I See Life sparks something in others. “I want people to realize that what they consider ‘normal’—whether it’s hearing a conversation, communicating effortlessly, or accessing the world without barriers—might represent a lifelong struggle for someone else,” she said.
“Even the smallest actions—listening, learning, or simply being present—can make a world of difference.”
