Daytona State’s ASL Club Fosters Language Learning and Community

ASL, or American Sign Language, is a form of communication that is widely overlooked, despite it being the native language of about half-million Americans. At Daytona State College, the ASL club takes great pride in spreading awareness about the deaf community and practicing ASL together.

Past

Each member of the ASL club has joined for their own reason, whether it be personal, to engage with people of similar interest, or maybe to learn ASL for future use. The ASL club members all shared unique stories as to why they decided to join, beginning with club president, Holly Carper. 

Carper decided to learn ASL because when she first discovered the language, she was completely fascinated by it. Holly had enrolled in ASL classes in order to satisfy her foreign language requirement, but it became more meaningful than that. 

One of the first to join the club after Carper was Alyssa Vanriper. She is one of the only hard of hearing members, as she was born deaf in her right ear. She relies heavily on lip reading, as sounds are often muffled to her. “I am able to talk and converse, but my preferred method is sign,” said Vanriper.  

Vanriper was blown away by the concept of sign language in elementary school and knew it was going to become an eminent part of her life. She had joined an ASL club in middle school, was a part of it for all 3 years, and continued on through high school. When her deaf teacher moved away to Alaska, it was tough for her to continue her learning. However, they were able to continue her lessons online. 

Another member of the ASL club is Sophia Sanchez Zapata. She had enrolled in ASL classes to satisfy her foreign language requirements, like Carper. However, now she sees ASL as being a vital part of her career. She is now trilingual, knowing English, Spanish, and ASL.

 In a world where only 10% of people in the United States knows ASL, knowing three languages is unbelievably impressive. Zapata has had great success in being able to connect with kids in different jobs she has held and hopes to be able to use that for future endeavors. 

Present

When Carper began taking her ASL classes, she wanted to become more involved with the deaf community. “I asked my teacher if we have a club, because I wanted to join,” said Carper.

What she did not know was that she would be the only current member, and consequently, became president. Being that Carper had a class with Vanriper, she asked her to join. She then assumed the role of vice president soon after entry.

The ASL club meets every Tuesday from 5-6pm in building 105, room 306. Theirs gatherings present a great opportunity to engage in ASL practice among a group of individuals who share the same eagerness to improve. 

They will commonly reserve the space for exclusively signing and speak only if necessary. Everyone is welcome to participate, from those learning their very first sign to those who have been signing since early on. 

At times, they will practice signs learned from ASL courses at DSC. In other instances, they will simply conversate using ASL. Students are encouraged to ask questions, spark new ideas, and discuss anything relating to ASL and the deaf community. 

One of the most inclusive things the club does to interact with the local deaf community is their coffee chats. One Saturday a month, they plan a meet up from 4-7pm at Copper Line in Daytona Beach to meet with members of the deaf community and practice signing.

While the club meetings are only for DSC students, this event is open to the public and is mostly a voice-off event.

“It is really relaxed, and people don’t talk about anything in particular,” said Carper. For the most part, she describes it as a great learning opportunity for students to be able to have. 

The club also organizes events like movie nights at DSC, which is yet another opportunity for ASL students to practice and interact with one another. There is free food and drink included, and they show popular movies about the deaf community, like Coda.

Future

Beyond their time in the club, many members have intentional ways they will apply ASL in their careers. 

Carper, currently taking ASL 4, will transfer to UCF in the fall where she will major in zoology. Applications of ASL that combine her love for animals and the language are few and far between, but after discovering Coco the gorilla, a light bulb went off. 

“I saw a video of a gorilla using sign language,” Carper says. “We’re able to talk with these animals just using our hands.” 

Coco, fluent in over 1000 signs and known for her famous video with the late actor Robin Williams, demonstrated a remarkable understanding and empathy towards humans that sparked Carper’s epiphany. She plans on teaching monkeys ASL and intends to pursue her doctorate degree in this field.

Vanriper, with a love for children, intends on entering the chiropractic field, with a focus on pregnant women and children. Currently working with kids, she believes that ASL is a great tool for mothers and their young children to employ in their early conversations. 

Also working with children, Sanchez Zapata plans on becoming a Speech Language Pathologist (SLP), specifically assisting special education children. One of the kids she currently helps is autistic and non-verbal. 

“The school that he goes is specifically for kids with special needs, and they’re teaching him ASL,” Sanchez says. “I know a little bit, and I’m the only one he can look in the eyes and have a little conversation with.” 

This communication is so important to these children and their families and fosters a connection that they wouldn’t otherwise have. 

Awareness

ASL is rarely in the spotlight of popular culture and mainstream news. Recently though, it has been brought more attention, especially after Justina Miles interpreted Rihanna’s Halftime show at the 2023 Super Bowl. 

Holly Carper posted on Instagram February 21, 2024, during Black History Month and was recognized by two of the members represented on the poster. [@hxllybear]

Carper created a poster for Black History Month focusing on the black deaf community. The poster included Justina Miles as well as Raven Sutton from the Netflix show, The Circle. The poster was uploaded on Carper’s Instagram and both women acknowledged and praised her work in the comment section. 

The club often works with their sponsor, Florida Hands & Voices, which is a nonprofit organization geared towards supporting parents and their children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Club President Carper has even personally worked at an organization event in Fort Lauderdale. 

Organizations like these give hearing people the opportunity to learn more about this language and all its applications. 

ASL can be a way to have a conversation with someone across the room, or it can be used in dangerous situations to communicate inconspicuously. In situations where you physically cannot talk, like while scuba diving, ASL comes in handy. ASL is used for communicating to domesticated animals with simple commands like sit, stay and come. 

ASL is open to all people who are willing to dedicate their time to it. It has impacted many of those who have learned it, and it impacts those who are now able to talk to people when it’s their only way of communication. 

“People deserve to talk,” Carper says. “Everyone has a voice of some kind.”