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The ASL club of PNC is a group of students who are interested in bridging the gap between the hearing and the deaf.
PNC began its first American Sign Language (ASL) classes Spring 2003. The first full-time professor was hired for Fall 2004. The one position became a full-time Continuing Lecturer & Coordinator of the ASL Progam Fall 2007. The PNC ASL Club was established Spring 2006.
The PNC ASL Club has become very active. They are on their 5th year of annually sponsoring:
- 8 ASL Coffeehouses (local coffee shops)
- 2 ASL Silent Teas (on campus)
- 2 ASL Game Nights (on campus)
- 2 ASL Silent Dinners (local restaurant)
- 1 Summer "Let Your Stars Shine" Saturday day camp targeting deaf & hard of hearing children that also includes hearing children grades K-12.
At all of our events, the primary language is ASL with translation into spoken English for presentations/ games/ activities. ASL is used for conversations. We try to make the environment "Deaf Friendly" and very relaxed. We conduct our events in an atmosphere respectful of Deaf people and Deaf Culture. We follow Deaf Culture customs such as:
- Giving eye contact.
- Making sure all can see.
- Flashing lights to get everybody's attention.
- When someone signs from the floor, someone will copy the signs on the stage so all can see.
- Being direct, giving full information up front.
We accept all forms of communication as far as type of signing used (many Deaf and Hard of Hearing people attend/attended public schools where Signed English is used in most cases). When we teach signs, such as at ASL Game Night or the Summer Event (these target children), we teach ASL.
Our ASL Coffee House events have had a variety of presenters including:
- Amber Kay - founder of an Animal Rescue Organization that rescues deaf dogs.
- Nina Coyer - Professor at Eastern Kentucky University in their ASL/English Interpreting Program.
- Matt Morgan - a Deaf Magician
- Antoinette Abbamonte - a Deaf Actress & Author of Tree Wise, a children's book about a signing family.
- Talented ASL Story Tellers- Scott Kochan, Jason Maloney, Nina Coyer, etc.
- Roger Coyer-Deaf Teacher & Coach, retired from Kentucky School for the Deaf.
- Jan Pool-Deaf Education Teacher for over 25 years in the Porter County, IN school system.
- Melissa Peiffer- Certified Interpreter for the Deaf.
Attendance ranges between 35-120, usually averaging around 75-80. We have had Deaf people attend who come from Merrillville, Gary, Portage, Michigan City, Valparaiso, Westville, LaPorte, South Bend and on occasion: Chicago, Indianapolis, Michigan, Kentucky & Canada!
Most times for the ASL Coffeehouses we have had standing room only these past 3 years. We have a large number of PNC students who bring family members, boy friends/girl friends, deaf and hard of hearing folks from the community with their families, Area Interpreters, Highland High School & LaPorte High School ASL students as well as Bethel College & Goshen College & ASL & Interpreting Students.
The club has done some fund raising but the primary focus is on planning & sponsoring the events. The summer event held the past 4 summers is also co-sponsored by area organizations such as:
- Northwest Indiana Deaf Community
- Signing Kids of Northwest Indiana
Some of the events are also supported by the PNC Diversity Mini-Grant program. The club submits a proposal & is able upon approval to have funding for food, supplies, presenter grants, etc. Without their support, some of these events would not be possible.
With fund raising and donations the club has been able to sponsor or partially sponsor local Deaf children for Summer Deaf Camp.
For more information or to be informed when the next meeting will be held, please e-mail
info@aslclub.info.
E-mail
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