Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Education Established

[Harold Schiffman]

Forwarded From: edling at lists.sis.utsa.edu


EKU News Center



Department of American Sign Language and Interpreter Education Established



The newly established Department of American Sign Language and
Interpreter Education (ASLIE) at Eastern Kentucky University advances
the University as a national leader in a growing field, officials say.



Housed in EKU's College of Education, the Department is unique in the
Commonwealth, combining an Interpreter Education Program (a major in
interpreting and a minor in American Sign Language), a Center on
Deafness and Hearing Loss, and an active outreach in-service training
program. In fact, in all the states surrounding Kentucky, only four
public institutions have a baccalaureate interpreter education
program. Currently, only 34 public and private baccalaureate degree
programs are scattered around the U.S.



Speaking at a news conference on Monday, Oct. 27, to formally announce
the program, EKU President Doug Whitlock said he remembers a time
"years and years ago when Eastern was the first in the state to make a
real concerted effort to meet the needs of deaf students. That effort
and dedication caused the deaf and hard of hearing to start coming to
our campus in large numbers (and) gave the program the traction to
grow into the leader in the state.



"Today is a very proud day for EKU," Whitlock added, "and, I think, an
indication of our dedication to provide educational services where
they are needed."



Full story:

http://www.prm.eku.edu/ekunews/?module=0&article=938




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