In 1950, Sam Roach, a Harding student who was partially deaf, founded the American Sign Language (ASL) club. Roach began the ASL club to help hearing students learn how to better communicate with the deaf community, and this club still exists today, 70 years later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior Matthew Emlaw, co-president of the club, said part of the reason he chose to join the club was because his brother, who was already a member, invited him to a meeting. He said he really enjoyed the experience of being able to practice the language and learn new signs. Emlaw also said the purpose of the club was to help students become more comfortable with the language and the deaf community while also building relationships with each other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe purpose of the club is to help students practice and get more experience with sign language and the deaf community, while also building relationships with each other,\u201d Emlaw said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sophomore Morgan Haught, the activities director of the club, said she helps organize club events throughout the year to help them become better at signing, as well as connect with some of the deaf community in Arkansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe normally have at least one trip to the Arkansas School for the Deaf, [and] possibly go watch a football game or a basketball game,\u201d Haught said. \u201cWe normally have two to three trips [to] Sylvan Hills, which is a church that has a deaf community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Haught said one of the purposes of the club is to encourage students to learn more about sign language so they have more people who are willing to think about and communicate with the deaf community around them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sophomore Elizabeth Dillard, an officer for the ASL club, said it gives you the opportunity to learn something new while also giving you people who can support you in your learning journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt gives you a new skill with no pressure to be an expert in a day, as well as a family to support you in your journey,\u201d Dillard said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emlaw said the club is for anyone willing to learn more about the deaf community and sign language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t have to have any ASL background to join,\u201d Emlaw said. \u201cI know a lot of times people will see people signing in the Stu and be intimidated and afraid \u2026 but it\u2019s for everybody \u2014 any skill level \u2014 whether you\u2019ve been signing for the past five years or you\u2019ve never signed before and are just interested \u2014 it\u2019s for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The club meets every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the Swaid Center for Health Sciences in room 233. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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