On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Villanova’s American Sign Language Club met in Bartley Hall for an ASL workshop. This ACS-approved event drew in a large crowd and was open to all students, filling up all of the Bartley lecture hall.
This meeting’s guest speaker was Amy Vadakin, an ASL professor in the Disability and Deaf Studies program at Villanova. Focusing specifically on best practices when interacting with Deaf individuals, Vadakin started her lecture going through some ASL foundations: the ASL alphabet, numbers one through 10 and simple signs to use in conversation.
Vadakin also engaged audience members in a game related to ASL numbers, handing out Wawa gift cards to the winners.
Afterwards, Vadakin delved deeper into ASL etiquette. She emphasized the importance of looking at an individual’s face when they are signing, rather than their arms or chest area, as most ASL grammar is expressed in the face.
Vadakin also illustrated different respectful approaches to get a Deaf individual’s attention, such as tapping lightly on their shoulder, turning the lights on and off slowly or stomping the ground.
She also mentioned that it is considered disrespectful to watch signed conversations and to talk in the presence of Deaf individuals.
Lastly, she described the best forms of communication between Deaf and hearing people. These include signing and writing back and forth. However, relying on spoken communication is difficult for both Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, as only about 30% of speech is visible on the lips.
This event was the ASL Club’s second meeting this year. Its president, Ana Colón Loza, describes that the mission of the club is to “provide students with a space to learn, immerse, and actively engage with the Deaf community.” This club is open to all students, including but not limited to individuals in Villanova’s Deaf and Disability Program.
Discussing the former ASL club, Loza mentioned that it was tied very closely to the Deaf and Disability program at Villanova and was mainly supported by individuals within that field. This still remains true today, but this club is now more open.
“The former ASL Club worked closely with Villanova’s Disability and Deaf Studies program, and it is mainly supported by students involved in that field,” Loza said. “While it had a strong connection to the program, the club remains open to all students, welcoming anyone interested in learning ASL and gaining a deeper understanding of Deaf culture.”
“After taking ASL 1 and 2, I participated in a seminar with Dr. Bialka, where the absence of an ASL club was brought to my attention,” Loza said when asked about the inspiration for the revival of the ASL Club.
Loza, with the support of Claire-Tilly Evans, has worked hard to re-establish this club.
“With the incredible support of Claire-Tilly, we’ve worked hard to re-establish the club and have been thrilled to see so many students show interest in ASL and Deaf culture,” Loza said.
“[The main goal of this club is to] raise awareness about Deaf culture and provide a welcoming space,” Loza said.
She said that part of the purpose of this club is to provide a place for past ASL students to continue learning and practicing ASL, even after they have finished ASL 1 and 2.
Also, she hopes that this club can help “strengthen connections with the Deaf community through events, guest speakers, and other immersive opportunities.” One of these events is a trip to Gallaudet University, a school in D.C. for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
“One of our most anticipated events is a planned trip to Gallaudet University, which will offer students an incredible opportunity to learn about the education offered to Deaf individuals,” Loza said.
Club members are also planning collaborations with other campus organizations to “foster a more inclusive campus environment.”
