ASL Interpreting Career Spotlight: Educational Interpreting

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A child’s understanding in the classroom is fundamental to his or her success. For Deaf and hard of hearing students attending a school with mostly hearing students, American Sign Language interpreters make the difference. Pepnet 2 — a federally funded project aimed at increasing the education, career and lifetime choices available to Deaf or hard […]

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The importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act for sign language interpreters

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American Sign Language interpreters and others who work with Deaf and hard of hearing people need to know the legal protections and rights of the people with whom they are working. That way they know when there is a violation of not only the law, but also an individuals’ understanding of important information. The Americans […]

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Uber partners with Deaf organization to create more jobs for the Deaf community

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Over 72 percent of Deaf and hard of hearing people are unemployed or underemployed according to Communication Service for the Deaf (CSD), an international not-for-profit organization devoted to elevating the quality of life for people who are Deaf, Deaf-blind, or hard of hearing, Chief executive of CSD, Chris Soukup, labeled the Deaf unemployment situation a […]

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Meet the ASL Interpreting online program at William Woods University

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In 2012, the national certifying body for sign language interpreters, the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf required that to sit for the certification from that date forward, applicants must hold a four-year degree. While over 100 institutions offered two-year degrees in ASL interpreting at the time, only a few dozen offered bachelor’s degrees. This […]

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Stretching Boundaries: ASL Literature Course Spotlight

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At William Woods University, bachelors in American Sign Language Interpretation and ASL Studies students take various courses that build breadth and depth of knowledge about Deaf culture and the various artistic expressions that have come out of the Deaf Community. William Woods University ASL Instructor Becky Davis developed the course ASL430: ASL Literature and has […]

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ASL career spotlight: Deaf advocacy – Part 2

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According to the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), 80 percent of the world’s 70 million Deaf people do not have access to education. Less than two percent of Deaf children have access to learning sign language, with the most limited access in developing countries. “The rights of Deaf people are often overlooked, especially in […]

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Architecture designed with the Deaf in mind

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The William Woods University language and interpreting lab in the ASL Studies department has considered the various ways in which a space could be more beneficial for using sign language. But how could architecture serve to help both the hearing and the Deaf? When you think about all of the architectural tools used in the […]

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ASL career spotlight: Deaf advocacy – Part 1

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When you study ASL and Deaf culture, you learn to understand an exceptional community, one you inherently become an advocate for — no matter what career you choose. But there are various advocacy organizations and causes students of sign may become especially passionate about — ones that they may pursue as careers. In addition to ASL coursework, […]

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5 Keys to making the most of your ASL interpreting degree

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As you pursue your bachelors in interpretation studies, your professors and advisors will work with you to make sure you have all of the right experiences and study requirements for interpreter certification exams, but there is a lot you can do to get the most out of your time in school. It’s a time when resources […]

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The benefits of early visual language development for hearing children

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Students studying American Sign Language Studies can use their fluency in the language and understanding of Deaf culture virtually in any career, including one working with hearing children. The use of American Sign Language has proven to help hearing children in a number of ways, including proven benefits to speech and communication development, the numerous […]

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