Addressing the shortage of American Sign Language interpreters in education

Critical Thinking problem area in American society today is the communication gap between the deaf and the hearing sectors of society. So significant is this gap that the deaf tend to marginalize themselves into a subculture. In order to bridge this gap, communication with the deaf can be established via either lip reading or sign language. The problem is however that there is a great shortage of American Sign Language interpreters in the United States, and particularly in the field of education. Learners with hearing disabilities are therefore greatly disadvantaged in terms of opportunities for education and their future as gainfully employed citizens of the country.

In order to be of help in remedying this situation, I am studying for my Master's degree in teaching American Sign Language. By teaching other professionals, I can reach a large number of people in the United States and make a great difference in this way.

As I see it, I can make a greater difference in teaching professionals to enter various fields to work with the hearing disabled than enter such a field as an individual. The latter choice would only offer the opportunity to make a difference in a few lives per year or per decade. By teaching other professionals, I can indirectly reach hundreds or eventually thousands of people with hearing disabilities.

In my current work as a tutor for students who wish to become American Sign Language interpreters, it is clear to me that many of these students have been taught incorrectly. This is part of the wider problem in the United States. Rather than being able to teach these students the correct way of interpretation from the beginning, I first have to correct the previous learning. Teaching quality is of the vital importance, particularly in a field that can make a difference in so many lives. I therefore find both my tutoring and my studies as a very significant direction to ensure not only a bright future for myself, but by association also for those who have tended to be marginalized both by society and of necessity by themselves.