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Communication
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I have only had the opportunity to learn ASL intermittently. One of my teachers, a coworker, just passed away suddenly. He is the one who taught me so much about Deaf culture along with ASL. Deaf studies is an incredibly important minor in more ways than I can put into words
Brianna supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORAs a special ed paraprofessional and a student who is pursing a special ed degree at a different university, ASL is so important. Because I took ASL, I am able to communicate with my non verbal students, teach about deaf culture, and use such an extraordinary language to communicate with many many people.
The instructor is also exceptional, I got the chance to see her be an interpreter for a student this past summer where we learned from her personal experiences and gained so much knowledge of something that is so helpful to our communities.
Do not take this opportunity away from students, it only shows that UMD doesn’t care to be inclusive.
jenna supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORAs a TA, I was hoping to take more ASL classes in the future because I want to make my classes more accessible for my hard-of-hearing students, which now is an increasingly difficult option for me. My students have found community in the deaf studies department and now I am afraid that a key part of their experience at UMD is being taken away. I understand that the budget cuts make it very difficult to make decisions on what to keep and what you need to do away with. But I hope you can consider how personal and deep this particular loss will feel, even for a hearing student of a completely different department (Biology, chemistry, and social sciences). Thank you for your consideration.
Dakota supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORI am a graduate of UMD and did not have the opportunity to take ASL classes, however many of my peers did and I am currently learning ASL for my career in ABA therapy. ASL is essential for educators and students!
Alex supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORMy Deaf Studies minor from UMD has helped me get every job I've gotten since graduating. I'm a biologist, but my bosses have told me it is what helped distinguish me from other applicants. ASL is the third most widely used language in the United States, making it more prevalent than French, German, and Chinese. Sign language, Deaf culture, and linguistics are an integral part of creating inclusivity at UMD.
Leah supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORWhile I didn't finish my dead studies minor back in 2014, I did complete many of the levels at UMD and was very impacted by the professors and the connections to the deaf community in Duluth. ASL is a beautiful language which should continue to be supported.
Kayla supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORAs a stay at home mom I taught all 3 of my kids sign language as babies. We believe this helped find another way to communicate if they couldn't find the words. I can't imagine not educating people to learn this language because people that don't have a voice deserve to be heard.
Brooke supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORAs someone with an ECE degree who has worked with kids who are D/deaf and HoH, this beyond breaks my heart. This is failing students, families, children, educators and everyone in the Deaf community.
Ella supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORThis is so incredibly disappointing and disheartening. UMD has made it clear where they stand, and it is wholly unacceptable. As an alumni, I stand with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, especially during the horrific decline of disability support and programs in our country, and demand that UMD rights this harrowing wrong.
Nova supported: BRING BACK THE DEAF STUDIES MINORYou’re not alone — a community of supporters is ready to back you.
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