A world where speaking with hands is like talking and facial expressions are grammatical exists right here in the United States. At Briar Woods High School, this world and unique culture is foreign and unknown to the masses, however, the American Sign Language program, headed by Ms. Vohrer, is using Foreign Language Week and Deaf Awareness Month to introduce Deaf Culture to the student body and community.

Deaf people consider themselves to be a part of a deeply individualistic culture that prides itself on dependency on each other.  They participate in Deaf events around the county and rely on Deaf schooling to educate their children.  “Deaf people have the same interests, abilities, and dreams as you and me, they just speak differently.  We have to remember that only we make it separate.  I’m teaching students not to separate the two.  Would you think a French- or German-speaking person was “slow” or “special” because they don’t understand your language, which is foreign to them?  I think that the students in my classes have realized just how intertwined our two cultures are and how every day we are influenced by the contributions of certain deaf individuals,” said Vohrer.

 Because of the relative unfamiliarity with Deaf culture, Ms. Vohrer has used her position to encourage the use of ASL and impart its values on her students.  Through the ASL program at BWHS, students can learn about the history behind Deaf people around the world, including its inception and the creation of Gallaudet University, the first Deaf college in the U.S.A.

“I want to teach my students that this culture shares the same common interests as any culture to which we might contribute.  The culture is split into communities of those who are deaf, hard of hearing, hearing and CODAS- Children of Deaf Adults. There are many variations with in this culture. It’s quite fascinating once you learn it,” said Vohrer.

As the ASL program grows, Ms. Vohrer and her students strive to take part in Deaf culture and events. In the Northern Virginia –Metro area, there is a multitude of opportunities to get involved in to learn more about Deaf culture.

“Every so often the IHOP in Leesburg will host a ‘Deaf Chat,’ which is hosted by Heritage High School’s ASL Club. Students from any school can go and sign with Deaf kids and faculty in our own county. It’s pretty cool. It lets me use the ASL I’m learning in class in the real world,” said Senior and ASL 2 student, Morgan Canada.

ASL is a language that has been ignored by most of the hearing community for years, but as American culture becomes more diverse, the Deaf community does as well.  This seemingly silent world is speaking up—as a school and a community Briar Woods’ ASL students are here to listen.