With a mission to increase diversity and spread culture at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), the ASL (American Sign Language) Club meets weekly to share deaf and hard of hearing culture with students.
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, it is estimated that 15 percent of Americans over 18 years old experience hearing issues. At TAMUK, the ASL Club works to teach sign language so people may be better prepared to communicate with those who are hard of hearing.
“The mission for this organization is to show diversity and inclusivity on campus and the community for those who are hard of hearing and or deaf and spread the beauty of a unique language that could benefit any career or lifestyle in the future,” said Alejandro Garza, the co-president of the club.
To achieve this mission, members of the club meet at 6 p.m. in Rhode Hall, Room 321 every Tuesday. At their meetings, members learn new signs as well as run through ones they have previously learned in order to improve their abilities to have conversations in sign language. The group also learns how to sign songs on a biweekly basis.
Having only started in Spring 2018, the club is fairly new on the TAMUK campus. Since starting, the club has participated in campus events such as Spring Fling to fundraise. However, the organization has plans to grow and connect more with the deaf and hard of hearing communities.
“Increasing our presence on campus is the number one priority of our organization this semester. To accomplish this goal, we are working to purchase club shirts and expand the scope of club advertisement to classrooms, magazines and community centers. There will also be guest speakers who will present content about the ASL community and work with our organization to volunteer and or promote relevant philanthropy,” the club Vice President Katrina Sacurom said.
Being a member of the club allows for students to learn a new language and get a better understanding of deaf culture. For Eboni Smith, the club treasurer, she enjoys seeing people’s reactions to learning about the opportunity to learn a new language by being a part of the club.
“I really enjoy how lively people get when they are told that there is an opportunity to learn a different language,” Smith said.
Co-president Amber Westwood enjoys teaching member new signs.
“I love teaching my club members and showing how cool and unique signing is, it’s such a big part of who I am and love to share that with the world one person at a time,” Westwood said.
As for Sacurom, she likes being part of the club because she is learning a new way to communicate. “What I enjoy most about being in the ASL Club is learning how to express myself without relying on verbal communication. I think doing so has increased my confidence which enables me to better interact with a myriad of people,” Sacurom said.
Every Tuesday, the ASL Club holds its meetings in Rhode Hall. TAMUK students of all majors are invited to attend a meeting if they are interested in learning a new language and getting a better understanding of deaf culture.
