The United Nations has outlined rights that are possessed by all human beings, but the rights of a child called for a distinct declaration.  According to the UN Declaration of the Rights of a Child, “The child shall be given an education which will promote his general culture and enable him, on a basis of equal opportunity, to develop his abilities, his individual judgment, and his sense of moral and social responsibility, and to become a useful member of society." Receiving an education that adequately supports your individual needs is essential and there are numerous laws guaranteeing those with disabilities the access to services. This should include the opportunity for deaf children to use American Sign Language as a primary mode of language, especially when it pertains to their progression through school.

However, the power of the appropriate course of education is invested in the parents. "The best interests of the child shall be the guiding principle of those responsible for his education and guidance; that responsibility lies in the first place with his parents." Because of the lack of maturity of a child, it is valid for a parent to make decisions on behalf of the child, but it becomes a topic of discussion when a parent withholds the opportunity of a child to access a language in favor of other forms of communication. This becomes extremely sensitive when hearing parents choose to not expose their deaf children to American Sign Language. This ultimately hinders their ability to acquire language.