A Deaf professor at UNA has spent the last eight years fighting for ASL representation across Florence.
UNA Professor Michael Reutter has taught American Sign Language at UNA for eight years, but has opened up club events and silent lunches for the Florence community. This fall, Reutter plans to expand the ASL program to include two more classes: ASL 201 and ASL 202.
“I’ve worked so hard to develop these ASL classes, ASL club, and recruit students over the summer,” said Reutter. “I am so excited to see [these new classes] this year.
Since its introduction in 2015, ASL enrollment rates have grown from 24 students to over 160 students.
“I see these subjects: criminal justice, elementary education, nursing, psychology and social work,” said Reutter. “If I have enough students sign up for ASL 201 and ASL 202. It will help these new classes [keep growing].”
These ASL classes will not only teach people ASL syntax, new signs and Deaf culture, but also demystify speaking with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
While these classes will be offered next year, introducing these classes has been a long road.
Dr. Scott Infanger, chair of the foreign languages department, believes that these new ASL courses could be an opportunity for UNA.
“It was always something in the back of my mind that I thought we really should [add these classes],” said Infanger. He said that with the birthplace of Helen Keller, Ivy Green, and “with all the opportunity here, UNA could be a great school for Deaf education.”
Beyond the opportunity for UNA, Infanger believes that learning a new language rewires your brain. Infanger is trilingual, but makes a point to be learning a new language to put himself in the shoes of his students.
“It makes you think differently, it helps you understand the world from a different perspective,” said Infanger. “It eliminates prejudice. All these ills from society, and learning a language as kinetic as ASL is good for brain health; believe it or not.”
While ASL classes, clubs, and silent lunches are available for UNA students, Reutter and the ASL club have made a point to raise awareness throughout the Florence community.
“I hate that [Deaf people] are so isolated because there are so many ways to communicate,” said former ASL club president Breanne Bailey. “That’s one reason ASL club has made a goal to spread the language so people can communicate [with them] more.”
Isolation can be very real for Deaf people in a hearing world, with deafness being considered the “invisible disability.”
“I’m glad most young [Deaf] people have a community of other Deaf people, but I wish more people knew ASL,” said former ASL club President Breanne Bailey. “My roommate said she’s had some deaf people come into her work, she finger spelled, and they seemed so appreciative of the effort.”
This becomes more real as most foreign language professors at UNA can also speak English, but Deaf and hard-of-hearing people don’t always have that option.
Even though Bailey’s class schedule doesn’t allow her to take classes in the ASL program, she has taken it upon herself to learn the language and spread awareness for the new classes.
“If anybody you know is interested in taking ASL, you should take [the classes],” said Bailey. “We’re expanding, just keep being interested in wanting to learn. Keep taking the classes if you have even a slight interest.”
ASL 201 will be offered in the fall of 2025, and ASL 202 will be offered in the spring of 2026.
