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Abstract of Project:

For my EDGE project, I will be attending ASL classes in Cedar City at the local library and participating in community activities hosted by the Southern Utah Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.  Each class is held on a weekly basis every Thursday from5:30-7pm. Involvement in the Deaf community will allow me to gain a deeper respect and understanding of Deaf culture as well as increase my ability to communicate outside of a classroom setting.  The leadership track would be the best choice to support my project for the following reason; I will be able to develop leadership qualities  that will allow me take initiative and be assertive with ASL.

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Larger Purpose:

Attending Deaf community events and taking community ASL courses will improve my grammar, speed, vocabulary and understanding of Deaf culture. Involvement with community members will not only allow me to foster friendships in the Deaf community, it will allow me to make connections that may be beneficial in my professional career as a clinical psychologist. A understanding of deaf culture and customs will improve my ability to understand the culture of some of my clients and allow me to serve both the Deaf community and Hearing community.

 

Project Goal:

Become confident in my ability to communicate with deaf and hard of hearing individuals through the use of American Sign Language and foster friendships within the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

    Outcomes:

  • If I increase my competency in ASL then I will be able to have constructive and effective communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. 

  • If I involve myself in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community then I will foster friendships within the community and have validity in the deaf community as I pursue a clinical psychology career.

  • If I put forth the work and effort to increase my fluency in ASL thenI will be able to test on the language and receive college credit towards graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

 

Deliverable(s):

  I will provide documentation of my project by completing weekly journal updates and assignments within the ASL classes I will be enrolled in. I plan on taking pictures and blogging about the experiences I have at community events hosted by the Southern Utah Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. 

 

Differentiation:

    My project is unique in the fact that it is the reason I am staying at Southern Utah University. I was planning on transferring to Utah Valley University to pursue a Minor in American Sign Language. Rather than transfer Universities, I chose to use my EDGE project as a way to attain a fluency in ASL in an alternate route. This approach will take more effort, creativity and planning than simply signing up for classes at a university and following the graduation requirements of a Deaf Studies Minor.  I must map out the time commitments, travel plans (most events are at least an hour away each direction) and travel expenses to reach my goal of ASL fluency. This project requires commitment to improve and requires me to hold myself to a higher standard of commitment. Coordinating with the Southern Utah Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will allow me to improve my interpersonal skills working with other people, their time tables and language backgrounds.

 

Estimated Costs:

Supplies: $80. Textbook: Signing Naturally Unit 1-6

  $200- Gas money to and from St. George for community events

Time: $652.50(Utah minimum wage of $7.25 x 90 hours)

Total: $932.50

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Estimated Timeline:

    Starting date: September 20th, 2016

    Ending date: November 22, 2016

  • Weekly community ASL classes: 1.5 hrs/weekly. 8 week minimum= 12 hours

  • 3 hours of practice weekly outside of class/8 weeks

  • 16 hours minimum of community involvement through the semester

 

Total: 52 hours

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