Students study a hands-on speech

Ashley Loomis is a motivated college student.

She goes through the day like any other busy junior, but her collegiate experience is different from many.

Loomis is one of six deaf students at UCF who are working together to create awareness of their culture. 

Loomis has a full schedule of classes for her health and science major, but she attends them with two interpreters who help her during lectures.

According to Loomis, there are some extra challenges in her everyday life at UCF. She doesn't complain, though. 

"Deaf people can do anything or be anyone — we just can't hear," Loomis said of the difference between a disability and a culture. "But other than that, we function just like everybody else."

After her classes on Mondays, Loomis heads to the Student Union where she helps conduct the American Sign Language Knights club meetings. She is the vice president of the organization, which is active in creating events and opportunities for students who are deaf and partially deaf. The organization also includes hearing students who feel passionate about the language and culture.

According to the Office of Student Disability Services, there are six deaf students enrolled this semester. One deaf professor acts as the adviser for the ASL and deaf issues minors. 

Professor Carrie Woods teaches several of these classes, which includes both deaf and hearing students.

"I feel like the interactions between the students is so important because it helps them to learn from each other," she said. "I feel closer to students who know ASL because it breaks down a communication barrier between us, and they show that they are interested in my culture," Loomis said. She said she has been discriminated against because many people think she cannot do certain things because of  her hearing loss.

Through SDS, students who are deaf and partially deaf are accommodated with interpreters, note-takers, amplification devices and special consideration with time deadlines. Certain issues can still cause difficulties, however.

Loomis often finds it difficult to join study groups or to attend many extracurricular events because of the lack of resources.

"There are many times I would love to just show up to different events here at UCF, but I can't without requesting an interpreter in advance, which can be a hassle," Loomis said.

According to Gallaudet University, there are only two colleges nationwide exclusively for the deaf, but one in 1,000 students younger than 18 is profoundly deaf. Therefore, most of these students end up in large universities. 

"One of the issues here is that most hearing students and even professors don't understand the culture that exists," Woods said.

To address this problem, the ASL Knights club aims to create an atmosphere wherein deaf students are  accepted and accommodated. The club has committees that host events such as conversation hours, which include games that use sign language.

Deaf students are invited to monthly "happy hours" at nightclubs, silent dinner events and expos to socialize with other deaf individuals from  the Orlando area.

According to club President Kristina Bradley, members of ASL Knights place emphasis on creating awareness of the deaf culture. Bradley is the daughter of two deaf parents and considers ASL her first language. While attending UCF, she has become an active interpreter and mentor. 

Jose Alvarez, a junior psychology major, is also partially deaf. He said he finds occasional obstacles in his classes.

"I have trouble hearing women, so female professors can be difficult for me," Alvarez said. "I read lips, and I prefer to do things on my own, so I usually don't even tell people that I am hard of hearing. I'll just ask for extra help after class."

According to Woods, students who are deaf and partially deaf display an excellent work ethic in her courses.

"They put in so much extra effort and go above and beyond to make sure they are on track," she said. 

Deaf students find that most of their peers and professors are unaware of proper etiquette. 

"People can be unintentionally offensive if they are not aware," Woods said. "For example, the phrase ‘hearing impaired' is politically incorrect."

It is considered proper to speak directly to a deaf individual, even when using an interpreter.

Students talk about these issues and other cultural challenges in Issues of Deafness classes and club meetings. They work toward goals to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about a culture some people may write off.

Loomis smiled as she and her friends in ASL Knights signed to each other, discussing their feelings about the culture. 

"Within the deaf culture, I can be myself and communicate without barriers," Loomis said. "We understand each other, and you almost have to experience it to truly understand it.
I do feel accepted by people at UCF. However, I still wish professors were more aware of deaf people and the proper way to communicate with us."