American Sign Language Pedagogy at Kent State

The best way to improve your language skills, and cultural competence, is by getting out there and trying to interact!

It's also the best way to explore career options, and to build some experiences which can be of use on your future resume.  It also helps you build a network of relationships and contacts within the Deaf community, and gives you a way to establish yourself and your reputation within the community.  It's also a great way to make friends!  You'll practice your ASL skills, your cultural knowledge, your ability to find, contact and interact within the community and...at the same time, you'll be networking, meeting new people, building your resume/portfolio, and hopefully having a great time IF you approach the activity thoughtfully and professionally.

Students in ASL IV, V, and VI need to do projects (and cannot do the same project twice - See the INFO FOR STUDENTS PAGE for more information about choosing appropriate activities).  When you contact an organization, you'll want to introduce yourself, explain that you are from KSU (which campus and which program), explain that you need to participate in an activity within the community, and talk a little bit about why you've contacted this particular organization or person (DO SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU MAKE CONTACT SO THAT YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION - Don't just contact at random).  Ask if you can help or be involved, and ask how. You don't want to go in saying you'll take over a project or you'll initiate a project unless you've had some contact with the organization previously or have arranged for a project through your instructor or the ASL coordinator.  If asked, you might share some of your interests, career goals, or hobbies.  The Deaf community organization you contact is the leader in your activity - you offer to follow and help.  You find out what THEY want or need you to do, and then you offer to do it.  For some organizations, it might take several contacts and some time to build a relationship - some organizations may be slower to trust you or welcome you; other organizations might readily welcome you with open arms the first time you contact them.

You can do your project either all on one day (for example, spending 6 hours at a setting, which might be a good option if the setting is a bit far away), or divided up over several contacts (for example, 12 thirty-minute sessions over the span of 6 weeks, which might be a good option if the setting is nearby).  You can car pool with a friend and do a project together, or you can do a project on your own.  You can do MORE than the required hours (and, in some cases, this might be required, so that an entire event or project is completed and the organization or community contact person isn't left with a half-finished activity).

Here's some ideas for places that have already indicated they would be happy to have you come, interact, and help.  This is NOT an exhaustive list.  There are many other options out there.  For example, area churches usually need help - try St. Augustine's in Cleveland or many others.  Ask around, ask in the lab, use contacts you've made while socializing within the Deaf community during your earlier classes.  KSU instructors and mentors won't always be with you - once you graduate, you'll pretty much need to find the Deaf community on your own, where ever you might reside.  Develop those skills NOW, while there are still instructors and mentors to advise you.

When you go to your activity, MAKE SURE YOU DRESS AND BEHAVE AS IF THIS WERE A JOB.  You never know - you might want to ask for a letter of recommendation from the organization some day, or you might want to list this experience on your resume for when you later go out to apply for jobs.  No low-cut tops, no very short skirts, no tight or ripped clothing.

If your interest isn't caught by one of the options on the following list, but you have an idea of what you would like to do, or an area/activity you would be interested in, talk to your instructor, or contact Robbie Thoryk.  Some students have already been successfully paired with placements in social work settings and counseling for example.  Some have even led to part-time jobs!  But if you want to pursue a specialized placement, do this EARLY in the semester - last minute "panic" calls are not likely to be as successful,  nor as beneficial to you, as a well-thought out plan. 

Actually, you should start to plan and make your contacts EARLY for ANY community service project - it is not very professional to try to have an organization comply with your need to get a project completed when there is only three weeks of a semester left.  And remember that your instructor needs to approve your project - your project has to fit with your skill level, provide you with interaction within the Deaf community, and provide you with an opportunity to network/make contacts within the Deaf community. Your instructor might also require specific changes or additions to your proposed project.   So start early, and make sure you discuss your plans with your instructor in order to have them approved.  If there is a special event that interests you during the month BEFORE you enter ASL IV, V, or VI, you can also try contacting your instructor-to-be, to ask for special permission to complete your project prior to class.  For more information about choosing a site, make sure you also check out the page at this website titled "Info for Students."  Ideas for some pairings might be contacting OSD or WPSD's or other residential school nurse if you are a nursing student and asking if you could shadow for a day; contacting Pressley Ridge or St. Vincent Family Centers Deaf Services if you are interested in psychology and asking if you could shadow or help with filing/stuffing envelopes, etc.  Please do remember that you are a student and your sign skills are generally very basic - you should not be expecting or accepting projects that involve professional skills or ASL fluency.

When you are done with your project, don't forget to write a formal thank you letter to your community sponsor.  If you follow all of these suggestions, you might also want to ask if your community sponsor would write you a general letter of recommendation, addressing how well you adapted to the activity and setting, how prompt and professional you were, if you worked well with a team and/or showed ability to work well independently and problem-solve, etc.  IF you do ask for a letter, make sure you have a self-addressed envelope available for your sponsor.  You also might want to keep documentation of your project in your career portfolio, since it is documentation of your interaction with the Deaf community.

Kent State University does not recommend any particular site or activity, and expects the student to investigate activities and use good judgement.  Kent State university does not guarantee personal health or safety at any point during off-campus activities, nor does it protect against risk of loss of my personal property.  Students should be covered by appropriate insurance.   Students assume all risks incurred by participation in off-campus activities and release Kent State University and employees from any and all claims.

 

Students are expected to use good judgement and to behave in accordance with university policy at all times. 

 

Kent State University’s Digest of Rules and Regulations encourages personal freedom, maturity, and responsibility by clarifying behavior that is expected of students. As members of the University community, students are expected to:

 

-demonstrate responsible conduct;

-respect the cultural, lifestyle, and religious differences of others;

-be honest and forthright in academic endeavors;

-accept freedom of expression and be civil in disagreement; and

-use university-owned or controlled property responsibly.

 

The Code of Student Conduct translates these expectations into specific policies and describes the process through which claims of violations are resolved. Each student is responsible for knowing and abiding by the terms of the code. The full text is available in the Digest of Rules and Regulations, which is located in the FlashGuide and the printed university phone directory.

 

 

 

 

The following item is for students in ASL V or VI (or above) who have their instructor's permission ONLY. 

 

The Ohio Association of the Deaf-Blind needs volunteer students to facilitate communication for their members during their fall conference (and also a picnic in June).  The position is called Support Service Provider (SSP) and training will be provided.  Some residents will also need tactile ASL; some need someone to voice.  IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN BEING AN SSP, YOU NEED TO CONTACT BRYAN GRUBB OR LYNN JANSEN ABOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR TRAINING, AND SECURE YOUR INSTRUCTOR'S APPROVAL PRIOR TO THE EVENT DATE!!!!    If you obtain your instructor's approval, and are a student in ASL V or above, then contact Bryan or Lynn with your name and email address and a line saying you are interested in being a volunteer SSP.  Contact Bryan dawgs415@hotmail.com  and Lynn at LynnJans@aol.com

 

ATTENTION VOLUNTEERS

 

Ohio Association for the Deaf-Blind

Is seeking your help.  We need SSP (helpers) and Interpreters.  Many of our members require tactile ASL in order to be able to be involved.  While others may just need a voice interpreter so that may be able to converse with others.

 

FOR ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE CONTACT

Bryan Grubb dawgs415@hotmail.com 

Mary Hale 614-538-0232 [voice]

Lynn Jansen 513-242-4171 [voice]

oadb2007@sbcglobal.net

 

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THE REST OF THESE ARE OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY MUST ALSO BE APPROVED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR.  ALSO FOR OTHER OPTIONS AND IDEAS, CHECK THE EVENTS PAGE AT THIS WEBSITE:

 

Ohio School for the Deaf often has events for families, professionals, etc.  They sometimes will welcome student representatives (volunteers).  Check their website for info:  http://www.ohioschoolforthedeaf.org/Outreach.aspx

 

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Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni Association often holds events.  You can try contacting them to see if they need any volunteer help:

 

Ohio School for the Deaf Alumni
901 South Sunbury Road
Westerville, OH 43081
(614)890-5533

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Akron CSD  (Community Services for and of the Deaf)

 

Greenleaf Family Center/CSD

212 East Exchange St

Akron, OH

 

Is open to having student volunteers for selected activities.

 

Contact information:

(330) 376-9494 ext. 248 (voice)

(330) 376- 9351 (TTY/VP)

DAC@greenleafctr.org

 

We are looking forward to hear from your students! J

 

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Southwest Deaf (SWCDC) at Parmadale Hall 6753 State Road, Parma Ohio 44134 has said they'd be happy to have students help with Dingo nights and events.  Watch the events page at this website or contact them at swcdc@ameritech.net 

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We, at the Deaf Kids and Teens Club, are seeking VOLUNTEERS to help us out with our many exciting activities, programs, and trips. We are looking for interested individuals, Deaf and hearing alike, who are proficient in American Sign Language, have an experience working with Deaf and hard of hearing youths of all ages, and serve as excellent role models in their community. We would like the volunteers of the Deaf Kids and Teens Club to show a commitment to the program by particiting in at least 5 to 7 activities a year. If this volunteer opportunity interests you and you want to become a part of one of the exciting programs at the Deaf Services Center, please fill out a volunteer application and mail it to us at DSC, Attn: DKTC, 5830 N. High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. For more information, please contact Chris Johnson at 614-841-1991 (TTY/Voice) or DKTC95@dsc.org.

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Silent Weekend Activities always need helpers.  Contact Fred Palchick (fpalchi@kent.edu).

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For a listing of religious organizations you might want to contact, explain who you are, and ask if they need any volunteer help, see the "Churches/Synagogues" page at:

North East Ohio Deaf Groups' Homepage:

http://users.zoominternet.net/~neodeaf/index.html