In a special online event hosted by Psychology for Equity, Awareness, and Community Enhancement (PEACE), Stephanie Horvath discussed the importance of American Sign Language inclusion, along with resources for Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing students.
Stephanie Horvath is a second-year ASL assistant professor at ETSU. She formally taught at the Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville, Tennessee, teaching Deaf children. Horvath is Deaf herself, and although she grew up with both English and ASL, ASL is her first language.
“I am culturally Deaf, and I am proud that I am Deaf,” Horvath explained.
She explained that Deaf culture consists of linguistic and cultural components that include arts, values, beliefs and behaviors. Fundamentally, the Deaf community is a collective group of people who support one another.
In becoming a better Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard-of-Hearing advocates, Horvath recommended learning Deaf history to provide an awareness of the oppression that this community faces. Additionally, she recommended learning at least basic ASL.
For events specifically on campus, Horvath suggested that organizations invite interpreters or provide a transcription to create a friendly, inclusive environment for the Deaf community.
“There is a spectrum of the deaf community, and they communicate in many different ways… It is important for an organization to see all the different parts of the ASL spectrum and to provide full access, full information and full education.”
To learn more about how to be accommodating, visit the ETSU Disability Services website, https://www.etsu.edu/students/ds/default.php.
