Many people are familiar with American Sign Language (ASL), which is rooted in diverse cultures and backgrounds. A vast majority of people learn sign language from family members or friends by being passed down through generations, similar to any other language. In my experience, I have met many people who know ASL and encourage other people to learn the language. ASL is the best possible way to communicate if you or someone else is experiencing trouble hearing or speaking. However, ASL can be used regardless of your speaking and hearing abilities.
Communication is central in our society; therefore, by embracing more languages like ASL, we can create a more inclusive world. Some people argue that ASL is a dying language, but the number of people using ASL as their primary language has never fluctuated. This resilience within the deaf community highlights the importance of ensuring that learning resources are accessible for all, regardless of who they are directed towards. Park has expressed its desire to recognize other languages, like the Dakhóta (Dakota) and Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) languages. In addition, I think it would be valuable to give opportunities for non-geographically based languages like ASL.
People like me have tried to learn ASL because they find it interesting, but don’t know where to start or who to learn it from. In-person classes can cost anywhere from $500 to $3,500, which can be a significant expense for many people. Apps like Lingvano and Rocket Languages are two high-quality options that cost $119 or more annually. There are a few free options, like Sign School or Hands On ASL. However, they tend to act more as a dictionary instead of a learning course. There should be more affordable opportunities for students who want to learn ASL. The demand for sign language learning opportunities has skyrocketed in recent years, and adding an ASL class at the high school level would provide free and effective in-person learning for kids at Park.
I imagine learning ASL is extremely difficult, even when attempting to learn the language without a hearing impairment. People simply don’t have proper access to learning ASL, and it has never been a priority in most American schools. This can be shown by the fact that just over 1,000 schools in the country offer American Sign Language as a language class. Access to ASL classes in schools does not reflect the interest in ASL. A frequent question is, Why should people try to learn the language if they feel like they are the only ones using it? Frankly, this lack of exposure and education shows a pattern of isolation within the deaf community. It underlines the need to push structure and ASL learning initiatives into public schools. Targeting the youth is one of the best ways to spread meaning. Having an ASL teacher or interpreter go into some of Park’s elementary schools for an hour would get students discussing the language.
Incorporating ASL classes into Park’s curriculum is not only about teaching a mode of communication; it’s about creating an inclusive environment. Learning ASL can breach many barriers between hearing and deaf individuals by breaking the mold and allowing communities to embrace each other’s experiences. Our school district has a wonderful opportunity to educate and become an even more diverse school by bringing in an ASL class. This initiative would give students the ability to support their deaf friends by adding to their support system. Students at Park are required to take a language class, so why not offer an additional option so students can feel entertained and engaged?
