WATCH: UC Flash Mob Celebrates International Deaf Awareness Week

Students in the University of Cincinnati’s Signed Language Interpreting and Deaf Studies program performed a flash mob in American Sign Language (ASL) Sept. 25 and 26, as part of a week’s worth of events to observe International Deaf Awareness Week.

During the lunchtime schedule, the group performed a routine in ASL to the song, “Waiting on the World to Change,” by John Mayer.

Organizers say that the song reflects efforts for the world to recognize and accept Deaf culture and ASL.

The event took place on Bearcat Plaza, in front of Tangeman University Center (TUC).

International Deaf Awareness Week is observed during the last full week of September, recognizing the anniversary of the first World Congress of the Deaf, which was held the last week of September in 1951. Deaf Awareness Week is aimed at drawing attention to issues surrounding the Deaf culture as well as celebrating the accomplishments of Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

UC’s Signed Language Interpreting program is in the School of Education of UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services (CECH). The program offers a bachelor’s degree in signed language interpreting with an online bachelor’s degree completion program option for recent associate degree interpreting program graduates and working interpreters, a Deaf Studies Certificate and ASL courses for foreign language credit.

Elizabeth Jean-Baptiste, coordinator of the signed language interpreting program, says UC has offered the program for the past six years, and that UC has offered ASL as a foreign language for more than 15 years. She says more than 1,000 students take Deaf-related coursework each semester, including students on campuses at UC Blue Ash College and UC Clermont College.

UC’s Office of Disability Services reports that the office currently provides accommodations and services to 19 Deaf/Hard of Hearing students across the university.

For the total schedule of events for Deaf Education Week at UC, click on:

http://cech.uc.edu/programs/interpreting/deaf-awareness-week.html

Cincinnati Smart

and ASL: 

CECH student Meaghan Lamers

Cincinnati Smart

and ASL:

CECH faculty Sarah Haven