ASL Immersion Offers Support

At Gallaudet University, located in Washington, D.C., deaf and hard-of-hearing students gather for an immersive experience. The American Sign Language (ASL) JumpStart program helps newcomers ease into university life. It supports those who arrive without fluency in ASL.

Interactive Learning

The program occurs weeks before regular classes begin. About 36 new students participate, engaging in activities designed to enhance their signing skills. On August 21, they played an interactive game, using deduction skills to identify a fictional ‘assassin’ among their peers.

One participant humorously questioned another’s suspicion, signing, “Bro, why are you saying me?” Such activities foster camaraderie and boost language skills, preparing students for academic challenges.