2008 Woodie Awards
Deaf Awareness Day to help spread knowledge of sign language
By Christopher Schilling
Rocket Contributor
Issue date: 9/21/07 Section: Focus
Other activities scheduled for Deaf Awareness Day include a performance by a group of students from the WPSD, who will sign with music in McKay Auditorium.
Also included in Thursday's activities will be SRU students signing musical numbers around campus as well as free hearing tests for students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Quad.
Myra Balok, a professor in the English department and the adviser of the American Sign Language Club, said that she not only thinks this event will break down barriers for SRU students, but it will also be fun and will teach people about deaf culture and the importance of sign language.
"We are making people aware of deafness and going beyond that awareness into instruction," Balok said. "We are trying to blow the walls out showing that this is just not bound to individuals who are deaf."
Abbie Stonebraker, a junior special and elementary education major, said she believes the event will be very beneficial to SRU students, especially those majoring in education.
"The day is important for students to learn about this culture," Stonebraker said. "It's also important for my major because it is something I'll be using."
While this is just a one-day event for the American Sign Language Club, the organization, which was founded by Balok and a student in 2004, will be hosting other activities throughout the year.
Some of these activities include two classes in October that offer individuals with little or no experience in American Sign language a chance to learn the language and another course for individuals with some experience to expand their knowledge.
The American Sign Language Club is anticipating great success for Deaf Awareness Day and hopes that it will help get even more students interested in the deaf culture and American Sign Language, which has become the third most popular language in the United States.
"The more exposed students get to different environments than their own, the better (they) will be," Stefko said.
Also included in Thursday's activities will be SRU students signing musical numbers around campus as well as free hearing tests for students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Quad.
Myra Balok, a professor in the English department and the adviser of the American Sign Language Club, said that she not only thinks this event will break down barriers for SRU students, but it will also be fun and will teach people about deaf culture and the importance of sign language.
"We are making people aware of deafness and going beyond that awareness into instruction," Balok said. "We are trying to blow the walls out showing that this is just not bound to individuals who are deaf."
Abbie Stonebraker, a junior special and elementary education major, said she believes the event will be very beneficial to SRU students, especially those majoring in education.
"The day is important for students to learn about this culture," Stonebraker said. "It's also important for my major because it is something I'll be using."
While this is just a one-day event for the American Sign Language Club, the organization, which was founded by Balok and a student in 2004, will be hosting other activities throughout the year.
Some of these activities include two classes in October that offer individuals with little or no experience in American Sign language a chance to learn the language and another course for individuals with some experience to expand their knowledge.
The American Sign Language Club is anticipating great success for Deaf Awareness Day and hopes that it will help get even more students interested in the deaf culture and American Sign Language, which has become the third most popular language in the United States.
"The more exposed students get to different environments than their own, the better (they) will be," Stefko said.
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