AMERICAN SIGN

LANGUAGE

ASL

The Language, The Culture, and The Community

A QUICK OVERVIEW: WHAT WE LEARNED

Many new American Sign Language

(ASL) signs

How the Deaf Culture operates

Aspects of the Deaf Community

How to communicate with the Deaf

How to put our knowledge into play

THE DEAF CULTURE

The Deaf do not consider

themselves different than the

“hearing” world

The Deaf can do everything that

hearing people can do

The term “Hard-of-Hearing” is no

longer used for the Deaf

THE DEAF COMMUNITY

The Deaf community is very tight-

knit

Community gatherings and

events occur on a regular basis

DEAF EXPERIENCES Deaf Chat – Gathering of Deaf

people at a local coffee chat for a chance for many Deaf, hearing, and ASL students to get together and “chat”.

Class with Deaf student – On campus, we attended a class with a Deaf student who uses the aide of an interpreter.

READER ANALYSISMegan: “When the Client

Signs” “Spiritual Life and

Mental Health” “Issues and

Implications of Deaf Culture in Therapy”

Rachel: “Empowering Deaf

Consumers Through the Use of Deaf and Hearing Interpreter Teams”

“The Child Who is Deaf and Hearing Parents”

“Trends and Challenges in Teacher Preparation in Deaf Education”

CUT AND PASTE JOURNAL “FOR HEARING PEOPLE ONLY” “Sign language is not impervious to change. It

can grow; it can adapt to modern needs. All signers can participate in the process of re-creating a language that reflects modern sensibilities, cultural sensitivity, and respect for diversity. There is always room for improvement – and for creativity.”

“It’s perfectly okay to be fascinated by Deaf culture and the way Deaf people communicate, and quite understandable to be intrigued by seeing them signing in public.”

“In case you’re wondering if movie theaters and the home-video industry are covered by the ADA, the answer is no. ... It’s strictly voluntary.”

CUT AND PASTE JOURNAL “FOR HEARING PEOPLE ONLY” “Most Deaf people appreciate a hearing stranger’s

interest…If you get rebuffed, don’t take it personally. Take it in stride, as a negative learning experience. It happens to all of us.”

“We believe that deaf children should be exposed to sign language as well as speech, as part of a Total Communication or Bilingual-Bicultural curriculum. They can choose whatever mode they feel comfortable with.”

“Obviously, not all career possibilities are equally feasible. Everyone has talents. Everyone has limitations. Everyone has abilities. And everyone has disabilities. Nothing is accomplished without risk and sacrifice. We deserve the right to fail as well as to succeed.”

SIMPLE SIGNS TO KNOW

Please

Thank You

Yes

No

Food

Drink

More

Finished

Bathroom

Help

“PLEASE”“THANK

YOU”

“YES” “NO”

“FOOD” “DRINK”

“MORE”“FINISHED”

“HELP”“BATHROOM”

ALPHABET

AA BB CC

DD EE

fF gG hH iI jJ

ALPHABET CONT…

kK lL mM nN oO

pP qQ rR sS TT

ALPHABET

uU vV wW

xX

yY zZ

RACHEL’S DEMONSTRATION http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpDtA7rmibU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HDeEbJyNK8

MEGAN’S DEMONSTRATION