Gallaudet University Offers ASL Support for New Students

Gallaudet University, a leading institution for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, offers support to newcomers who do not know American Sign Language (ASL) when they arrive on campus. The university’s ASL immersion program provides valuable assistance to these students.

Every year, as the new academic term approaches, Gallaudet conducts a special orientation known as JumpStart. This program immerses participants in ASL, allowing them to practice and learn the language through engaging activities. Such interactions help foster communication skills and build a supportive community among students.

On August 21, a group of about thirty-six incoming students participated in one of these sessions. They engaged in a game designed to identify an ‘assassin’ among them, using ASL to communicate.

In these exercises, students quickly familiarize themselves with ASL’s nuances and their new environment. It is a crucial time that sets the foundation for their success in both their social and academic pursuits at the university.

This program highlights Gallaudet’s commitment to ensuring every student receives the necessary resources to thrive, regardless of their initial fluency in ASL.