About the June ‘24 Crash Course: 

Funded by the Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship Grant Program, ALTEC will be offering a free ASL crash course this summer. A collaborative effort with the Colorado Association of the Deaf, this course will provide participants with essential ASL communication skills as well as a deeper understanding of Deaf culture. The course will be led by ALTEC faculty member Pamela Macias and feature guest speakers from the Deaf community.  

Class Schedule: 

Our course instructor, Pamela Macias, will host dynamic Zoom sessions twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. MST. Students will also have access to supplemental class materials for self-paced learning.  

Why take an ASL Summer Crash Course? 

• Immersive Learning Adventure 
  • Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of ASL with our crash course, meticulously designed and infused with linguistic and cultural insights. 

• Inclusive Community
  • Connect with a diverse group of learners passionate about breaking communication barriers and celebrating Deaf culture. 

• Guided by Experts
  • Benefit from our strategic alliances and expert guest ASL instructors, each committed to fostering your growth and cultivating an inclusive society. 

How to Secure Your Spot in Our Class

Space in our grant-funded transformative course is limited. To ensure equitable access, we kindly request all interested individuals complete our application form for consideration. We’ll be reaching out via email to all applicants by May 17 to confirm enrollment status.   

Apply today!

Questions? 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at altec@colorado.edu or call 303-492-5579. If we’re unable to answer your call, please leave us a detailed message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

• Sign Connections: Empowering Colorado Communities through ASL and Deaf Culture

  Additional Info

  Our Crash Course aims to address the critical need for American Sign Language (ASL) education and awareness of Deaf culture within Colorado communities, particularly focusing on rural areas where resources and knowledge about the Deaf community are limited. In collaboration with the Colorado Association of the Deaf (CAD), Pamela Macias, and Audra McCorkle, ALTEC have developed a 4-week crash course on ASL and local Deaf culture, targeting individuals seeking to enhance their communication skills and understanding of Deaf communities. The course will combine synchronous and asynchronous learning modalities and feature mini presentations by local Deaf individuals. Also, students in the course can assess their own understanding while learning via quizzes that the course content planning team will create and incorporate into the course. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a “Sign Connections Certificate.”
  
  
  Project Relevance:
  
  This project responds directly to the advocacy efforts of CAD, which emphasizes unrestricted access to human and civil rights for Deaf Coloradans. Despite these efforts, many public institutions, especially in rural areas, lack resources and awareness about ASL and Deaf culture. Teaching ASL and Deaf culture to hearing learners offers numerous benefits, including enhancing communication, understanding, and personal growth. Learning ASL breaks down barriers, fostering inclusivity and empathy within communities by enabling communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. Exposure to Deaf culture cultivates self-awareness, challenges biases, and fosters personal development, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse society. We offer this course at no cost to course participants.
  

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  Location

  Dates

  6/4/2024 - 6/28/2024

  Public or Private

  Public Program (open to the public)

  Program Fee

  No charge to attend/participate in activity or program

  Event URL

  https://forms.monday.com/forms/c295e3ad39598648da402f3d0eaf1a84?r=use1