ALSR Co-PI Dr. Darrin Griffin contributed to the organization for the first Deaf Awareness Week Forum held during September, Deaf Awareness Month, at the University of Alabama. Collaborator and Gallaudet University, Dr. Kenneth De Haan, delivered a talk regarding ASL and PI Dr. Sevgi Gurbuz gave a talk relating to radar-based design of ASL-sensitive user interfaces. Other speakers included members of the UA community who are Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing and who shared their experiences being Deaf at UA, leading discussions on Deaf culture and community needs/perspectives. Listing of Program Events:
Monday September 19th
- Opening Remarks & Welcome : Dr. Joseph P. Messina Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
- ASL Instruction Development in Higher Education : Dr. Kenneth DeHaan Gallaudet University
- Deaf Culture/Deaf community : Tabitha Venable and Dr. Tracy Knight, UA and Sam Houston State
- Remarks : Dr. James Dalton Executive Vice President and Provost
- Who is Taking ASL? : Eden Webb Vice President of BAMA ASL – UA Student Group
- KODA: Dr. Tracy Knight Sam Houston State University
- Concluding Remarks : Dr. Kent Schafer Alabama Department of Mental Health
Tuesday September 20th
- Opening Remarks and Welcome : Dean Brian Butler College of Communication & Info. Sciences
- Developing ASL Technologies : Dr. Sevgi Gurbuz Electrical and Computer Engineering
- ASL / UA Grad Student Research : Carolina Kudesey and Felicia Smith
- Taiko Drum Performance : Laurie Arizumi & UA Nozomi Daiko with participants
- The State of Being Deprived : Dr. Kent Schafer Alabama Department of Mental Health
- Panel Discussion: Deaf Culture / Diversity Inclusive Community @ UA
- Moderator: Dr. Kent Schafer
- Panelists: Dr. Kenneth DeHaan; Tabitha Venable; Debrah Bryant (AIDB); Ben Hollingsworth (ADRS) Ryan McDonald (AIDB) Marcus Washington (AIDB)
- Closing Remarks : Dr. Christine Taylor Vice president and Associate Provost for DEI
- Adjourn : Let’s keep in touch!