This petition is to show student, faculty and community support for allowing American Sign Language to satisfy the University of South Carolina’s language requirement. Since 2019, ASL has been offered here on a trial basis. This assumes that if there is sustained interest, it will be integrated for credit within the CarolinaCore. Despite continuous student enrollment, USC has yet to accept ASL. 

According to South Carolina Code of Laws Section 59, ASL satisfies the foreign language requirement for all South Carolina high schools. American Sign Language fulfills the admissions requirement at USC, but not the graduation requirement, even though there are sufficient levels offered. 

By excluding ASL, the University of South Carolina is inadvertently making a statement about the validity and worth of the language, as well as the community who speaks it. Deaf culture is valid; the unique, enriching dialect of the community should be embraced. The trial program has been successful for three years and deserves to be expanded to a permanent program. Please join us in offering your support for ASL to show the university that disallowance will not be tolerated.