New minor in Deaf Studies casts a vision of advocacy over pity
The new deaf studies minor will focus on engaging students with the ASL and deaf community.
Courtesy of Patch.com
Since its arrival a year ago, the deaf studies minor offered at Lee has shifted its vision: advocacy instead of pity.
Director of Academic Support Dr. Lu-Juan Bradford, who spearheaded the minor’s creation, emphasized the importance of getting students involved with the deaf community.
“My end goal is not to feel sorry for the deaf community but to work with them,” Bradford said. “Nobody wants pity.”
The local deaf community in Cleveland is made up of 45 registered deaf adults, and the National Court Reporters Association reports that more than 28 million Americans are either deaf or hard of hearing.
That's why Bradford believes that advocacy must start with a higher level of awareness.
“Advocacy begins with maybe correcting a friend who makes a ‘less-than’ joke about a deaf person," Bradford said “And it goes to noticing the deaf person at the grocery store and signing, ‘How are you?’”
LeeU offers multiple ways for students to get involved with ASL outside of classes, eight of which are required for the Deaf Studies minor.
From 4 to 5 pm on Sundays, Bradford hosts a Bible study for the deaf and for ASL users.
“It’s an hour of no talking, no interpreting, simply immersing yourself to learn,” Bradford said. “I think it’s good to feel lost, then you start to understand how the other person feels. Silence is their life.”
Halley Hine, a senior psychology major, was a part of these silent lunches hosted by Lee in Cleveland, where participants focus on practicing local advocacy through simple conversation with the deaf community.
Hine has two family members who use ASL to communicate, but prior to coming to Lee, she was unable to converse with them.
After taking ASL as her foreign language, Hine now has the freedom to communicate.
“I think ASL is a really great choice, especially for those that don’t know what to take for their foreign language,” Hine said.
The minor focuses on helping students to become associated and acquainted with the reality of the deaf community. Meagan Allen, professor of deaf studies, first crossed paths with the community as a child.
“The deaf community can be well-educated,” Allen said. “So why would I assume that they don’t have dreams just because they don’t hear the world in the same way I do?”
Bradford and her colleagues’ vision is that Lee will be a place where deaf students can attend and ultimately find a friend, community and home. For Bradford, advocacy is walking with and beside, not ahead or behind.
“Hearing a bird sing is nice if you’re used to it,” Bradford said. “But what is really important is having a friend and having communication, having someone to share your thoughts with.”
For those interested in adding a deaf studies minor, stop by the Center for Calling and Career in the PCSU to discuss declaring.
