SES Professions in Deafness
Interpreter Preparation Program Events:
The UNCG Interpreter Preparation Program believes that the only way to effectively learn American Sign Language is to become involved with the community that uses the language. Students are strongly encouraged to be heavily involved in events with or for the Deaf community. UNCG offers many exciting events for students to use and practice their skills they have learned in class. Listed below are just a few of the events:
ASL Idol-Just like the television show we have Simon, Paula, and Randy judge students on their ability to interpret popular songs into ASL. ASL Idol is a highly anticipated event by the Deaf community and has approximately 300 people in attendance. Students give back to the Deaf community by providing entertainment for all audiences both hearing and deaf.
Camp Dogwood-Is a camp for Deaf-Blind patrons who gather once a year in the fall to participate in varied activities including swimming, boating, horseback riding, arts and crafts, hayrides, and nightly talent performances. Camp Dogwood is held in the beautiful Lake Norman region of North Carolina.
Professional Meet and Greet-is a gathering of professionals in educational, community, and local agencies looking to hire interpreters. This wonderful networking experience prepares students to enter the profession of interpreting and gives them a chance to get to know the professionals they will be working with throughout their professional career.
Silent Dinners-A gathering of members of the deaf community at local restaurants for people who need to practice their signing and communication skills. These events are planned by local service agencies and prove to be an excellent way for students to improve their signing. Offered monthly by more than one agency in the surrounding area.
Interpreted Professional Plays- A wonderful observation opportunity for students to study how working professional interpreters interpret comedies, tragedies, and musicals. Theatres include the Triad Stage a professional theatre company in Greensboro, The Shakespeare Theatre in High Point and local community theatre productions.
Shadow Interpreted Plays on Campus-Students have been involved in three shadowed interpreted performances on campus working with the theatre department at UNCG. Past productions include “Kringle's Window,” “Rosa Parks,” and “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughter” which traveled throughout the state performing at the North Carolina school for the deaf and public schools with deaf students. Most noticeable this production incorporated the use of a Deaf Sign Master to assist and serve as consultant on the production. Most recently the UNCG Theatre Department mounted a production of Susan Zeder’s “A Taste of Sunrise” that beautifully incorporated deaf actors along with sign language interpreters providing a unique theatrical experience that used creative and artistic expressions in ASL.
Deaf and Hearing College Connection-a sign club located in the SES department that often has events such as movie night, car washes, flag football games, pumpkin carving and egg dying contests, trips to the zoo, basketball games and tag football. A wonderful way to meet and make new friends both deaf and hearing!
UNCG's Deaf Kiss-Fist is an annual event held in September to culminate National Deaf Awareness Week. During Deaf Kiss-Fist, various Deaf people from a wide range of ages gather to showcase their unique abilities. Some past Deaf guests have included a horse trainer, a famous painter, a photographer and more. Along with these accomplished Deaf role models, many other Deaf individuals perform during the Deaf Kiss-Fist event. Some past examples include deaf jokes, ABC stories, ASL poetry and more. With such a variety of all Deaf entertainment and special guests, this event epitomizes the meaning of Deaf pride and is a great way to display the Deaf community's unique talents and abilities.
Spring and Fall Program Picnics- The Professions in Deafness Program meets as a large group each fall to have a picnic at Piney Lake which gives new incoming students an opportunity to get to know other students in the program. The Professions in Deafness Program meets once again in the spring and students, friends and family are included and all have an opportunity to play games and enjoy a good ole fashioned cookout and picnic!
Students wishing to become more involved can go to our virtual sign lab located on BlackBoard to get the most updated information. All students declaring Interpreting as their major are granted access to the Virtual Sign Lab. (VSL)