In America, about one in every twelve children (ages 3-17) has a disorder related to voice, speech, and language. While there are roughly 250,000 to 500,000 American Sign Language users in the United States and Canada, there are still many states and universities that have not yet accepted ASL as a foreign language option at their school.
Many high schools and colleges have a foreign language requirement (such as Spanish, French, Latin, etc.) in order to graduate, to teach their students a wider understanding of cultures and be able to communicate with a wider pool of individuals, and I believe that the same is true with ASL. While learning these foreign languages is very beneficial, it is also important to note that ASL is the third most used language in the US behind Spanish and English.
With so many people in the United States having hearing and speech impairments, it is important to educate ourselves. In addition to being able to better communicate with those who are deaf or impaired, studies show that learning American Sign
Language can have many other benefits. One benefit of learning American Sign Language is that it can lead to the development of a strong appreciation for deaf culture, and can promote understanding and acceptance of the language. It can be crucial for people to become sensitive to these issues in order to be a more accepting and well-rounded individual.
ASL can also help you in your professional life. Aside from possibly needing to communicate with a hearing-impaired co-worker or boss, sign language interpreters are commonly needed in many professional avenues. These can include hospitals, courts, governmental agencies, community activities, and local, county, and state legislatures.
Lastly, sign language can affect you in more ways than you might realize. Beyond learning a new language, sign language can enhance your cognitive processes, such as creative thinking, better problem-solving, greater cognitive flexibility, better listening skills, and even greater academic achievement.
If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of American Sign Language or you want to start learning the language, there are countless resources at your disposal. For example, many college campuses offer elective classes to learn sign language or have ASL clubs or organizations. If that is too big of a step for you though, there are also mobile apps that can help you learn, such as The ASL App, ASL American Sign Language, and many more!
Looking for more resources to learn more? Check out The National Association of the Deaf, ASL Teaching Resources, Start ASL and Sign Language 101.
No donations or money expected of you, just your time and patience to learn the language that is so many people's only option. So what are you waiting for? Let's start signing!
