Community with culture: OH celebrates Deaf History

At OH, the deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) community shines bright as a part of Oswego High School. In honor of National Deaf History Month, OH has never been better prepared to celebrate.

Deaf History Month is celebrated in April and was introduced in 1997 by the National Association of the Deaf. However, deaf history goes well beyond the late 90s. The American School for the Deaf was founded in 1817, marking the beginning of DHH inclusion efforts. Then, in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. Now, schools, including OH offer specialized education plans curated to meet students’ needs to ensure equal education access. 

“I think it’s important to include all students and celebrate all the differences they all have so everyone can learn from one another and create an understanding,” said OH American Sign Language (ASL) club sponsor Kristina MacDonald. 

OH boasts a variety of inclusive programs aimed to support DHH students and their families. These programs help DHH community members all while incorporating them into the school community and encouraging hearing students to learn about the history of deaf culture. 

“The more we share Deaf culture and ASL with others, we hope it educates others and allows a bridge between the deaf and hard of hearing students and hearing students and staff while encouraging an open community where all are welcome,” said MacDonald.

OH has a large sign language program to ensure every student receives a quality education, whether deaf or not. Interpreters for the school use a technique called Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE). This implements elements of ASL while using conceptual gestures and movements to mimic the meaning of the word.

“In English, we have multiple meanings for words. You could go for a run after school, your car could be running… but in signing exact English, there’s only one sign, despite all the meanings,” said OH ASL teacher Keith Strnad. 

DHH students go to class with hearing students, the only difference is that an interpreter is often in the classroom to assist in communication, and other students may utilize hearing technology as well. 

“I would chat with the interpreters and use the interpreters to chat with other people,”  said OH senior DHH student Archi Damle. 

This year, OH ran its first ASL course as a foreign language credit. The class was well-received as an alternative language to the traditional language courses. 

“We’ve been trying to get [ASL] in the district for over 10 years. We have a big deaf and hard of hearing program here in District 308,” said Strnad. 

In addition to the class, OH offers an ASL club that meets on Tuesdays from 2:30-3:30 in room 117. The club works on building ASL skills and teaches their peers the importance of communication for DHH people. Anyone interested can contact Karliene Pfalzgraf or Kristina MacDonald.

“The ASL Club now works with the Acapella Choir to perform the National Anthem at the pep assembly at the beginning of the year. The club also performed the National Anthem at the cross-town football game along with OE. We have also had meet-ups at deaf events with other schools,” said MacDonald.

Deaf culture can be learned and celebrated by anyone at any point in life, OH interpreter Rhonda Cochran did not even begin to learn sign language until her son left for college, when she chose to go to school for sign language interpreting. 

“It was beautiful, I met the most wonderful people, and it was a culture and a community that I didn’t really know before,” said Cochran.

Deaf History Month is a chance for DHH students and their peers to celebrate and honor those who paved the way for DHH inclusion, as well as those who are currently fighting for the advancement and awareness of deaf culture. 

“I just feel like it’s important for me to celebrate it and be in the deaf community because it’s my identity,” said Damle.