Those who are curious to expand their knowledge of sign language and deaf culture will have an opportunity starting today at Ball State University.
Ball State's American Sign Language Club is presenting a Deaf Awareness Weekend tonight through Saturday.
According to its Web site, bsu.edu/web/aslclub/, the club's mission is to "Show and share American Sign Language with all people regardless of their background in American Sign Language."
Trix Bruce, a nationwide workshop presenter and American Sign Language performer, will come from Washington to educate Ball State students about deaf people, their culture and her personal story. Bruce's first presentation, "The Hearing World Around Me," is 7:30 p.m. today in the Teachers College Room 102. Bruce will also present a workshop from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom.
"Improv Night with Trix," which is meant to further educate the community in a fun way, is also Saturday in the Student Center Ballroom said Erin Mahoney, sophomore and Secretary for the American Sign Language Club.
Senior Andy Wirtz, vice president for the American Sign Language Club, said the awareness weekend has been going on for years and it does a good job at bringing deaf culture to life.
Friday, "Deaf 101" with Jeff Guilkey, a Ball State student, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in Teachers College Room 102.
Wirtz said "Deaf 101" would give people insight into the world of deaf culture by discussing several issues, including how to communicate effectively with people who are deaf. Mahoney said if people are unfamiliar with deaf culture and curious to learn more, then the presentation will show differences people in deaf culture must experience.
The Deaf Discussion Panel starts at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Student Center Ballroom. Students can ask questions about life in the deaf culture. This tends to be a popular event because students get an opportunity to have specific questions answered, Mahoney said.
"It's a really good way to enlighten people about deaf culture," Wirtz said.
All events are free and open to the Ball State community. Interpreters will be at each event so people can understand everything being communicated, Wirtz said.
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