Deaf Awareness: Culture and Language - 2011
The program provided awareness of differences between deaf and hearing culture that might lead to misunderstandings and conflict. Examples include attention getting, use of facial expression, eye contact, bluntness, sign parameters and an introduction to the history of ASL and Deaf Culture. In addition, the program will introduce some basic grammatical and linguistic information to aid in communication between these two cultures.
Location: South Central Service Cooperative: 2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56003
- Event Dates:
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Saturday, November 5, 2010
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
- Partner Organization(s): The North Mankato Taylor Library, South Central Service Cooperative, SOCRATES, MN Department Human Services - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division
- Partner Organization(s) Contribution/Role in the Program: The North Mankato Taylor Library will provide in-kind services of the Bookmobile at each Saturday event, development of a list of current materials available for registered library users in the region and promote this event with their Patrons. South Central Service Cooperative will provide in-kind the rental cost of the conference center. SOCRATES will provide in-kind contribution of video services including equipment, videotaping, and editing. The MN MN Department Human Services - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division Program Consultant will provide their expertise by working with the presenter on topics relevant to community members as well as promote the events among consumers. Video programming may also be available and archived on the South Central Service Cooperative website to be utilized by individuals unable to attend the activity.
- In-Kind Support: $2,200.00.
Program Outputs: It is expected that 80% of the participants have a positive experience; broaden their understanding of Deaf Culture and be prepared to interact in a positive way with coworkers and other deaf/hard of hearing people from the community as indicated on their written evaluations.
It is also expected that 50% of the participants will utilize the book mobile for literature related to deafness and American Sign Language to continue to broaden their knowledge base. The Deaf Culture and sign language materials purchased by Taylor Library will be available for registered library users in the region 100% of the time.
Measurable Outcomes may be collected by survey, anecdotal responses, pre-test/post-test, observations; Describe proposed end user change in Behavior, Attitude, Skills, Knowledge, Condition and/or Status.
- Participants in the mini-sessions often will have their first experience interacting with someone who is Deaf in a positive and enlightening venue.
- Participants will gain understanding of some basic differences between the cultures that may lead to conflict and learn language skills to lessen the communication barriers that exist between these two cultures.
- This event is expected to attract a minimum of 400 participants throughout the six sessions provided.
Evaluation will be both via a written evaluation by participants and also through empirical data; observing the reaction of participants and the collection of information from informal discussions.
Participants are able to demonstrate their ability to communicate via appropriate introductions, use of non-manual markers in expressing information, and via the role of classifiers in storytelling.