The Department of Linguistics had a couple of booths at the DeafNation Expo in Seattle on Saturday, Oct. 19th.
The ASL program gave away used ASL and Deaf culture books that were given to our program. We also gave away a hundred ASL program brochures and husky stickers. We met so many people, high school ASL students and teachers who asked about our program. It was a great networking experience and sharing awareness with the Deaf community. All of our ASL teaching professors—Lance Forshay, Kristi Winter, and Dan Mathis, along with our ASL affiliate teaching professor, Raymond Bateh—represented us at the booth. Lorna Rozelle came along as well.
Qi Cheng and her graduate student also had another booth next to the ASL program. They recruited some Deaf attendants to participate in her research. Kristi helped with making connections with Deaf people who dropped by. Several Seattle Deaf people who studied at Gallaudet University and the University of New Mexico in linguistics asked questions about our major studies program and research.
Our UW ASL club volunteers served at the front entrance registration and ASL booth. Anabel Blankenship, the club president coordinated all volunteers and schedules. Joel Barrish, the owner of DeafNation Expo events continues to be impressed at the level of volunteering from UW ASL club students and our presence at the event.
Find more information about DeafNation Expo at Seattle here.
The next Deaf Expo event will take place at the Seattle Flight Museum on November 9th. Come and find our booth!