Office of Disability Services | Photo by Diana Jaber | The Wright State Guardian
National Deaf History Month is from March 13 to April 15, bringing awareness to the Deaf Community. Wright State University (WSU) American Sign Language (ALS) instructor Jodi Pierstorff and College Credit Plus student Remi Fokine both give a glimpse into why this month is so important.
In the shoes of an interpreter
According to Pierstorff, she has always loved ASL and was introduced to it as a young girl.
“I taught myself the alphabet and a few signs here and there, but there was never really anything around until after I got married. I started going to every workshop I could for ASL and then started interpreting in my church,” Pierstorff said.
According to Fokine, she was always interested in ASL and took it as her foreign language in high school.
Fokine is a College Credit Plus student who takes college courses while still being in high school.
“The syntax and linguistics of the language continue to intrigue me the more I learn. My favorite part of the language is Deafisms, which is ASL slang that Deaf people use,” Fokine said.
Pierstorff started teaching ASL at WSU in 2007 and she highlighted the common misconceptions of the Deaf Community.
“Hearing people are the ones that hold deaf people back when they can do anything a hearing person can do. We just don’t give them the chance because a lot of people don’t want to have to communicate with a deaf person. Deaf people are not lesser, there are just some accommodations to make to communicate with them,” Pierstorff said.
In terms of the Deaf Community’s achievements, Fokine brings light to major events.
“Some important events that come to mind that have shaped the Deaf Community and its culture is the Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University, the passing of legislation like the ADA and Marlee Matlin becoming the first Deaf person to win an Oscar,” Fokine said.
How to celebrate Deaf History Month
“As a hearing person, we can help support the community by standing up against the injustice that the Deaf community receives, whether it be advocating for legislation or societal changes. Learning about the culture and community has made me such a big advocate for accessibility,” Fokine said.
Florida State University’s Diversity and Inclusion webpage gives advice on how to continue uplifting the Deaf Community.
“Ways in which we can spread awareness and celebrate Deaf History Month is by reaching out to companies and governments to encourage them to fulfill their legal obligations to the deaf population, support deaf businesses, donate to deaf-based charities, volunteer with deaf organizations, and encourage, advocate, and promote deaf people as one-of-a-kind,” the Florida State University’s Diversity and Inclusion webpage said.
