Students, staff, and instructors from deaf educational programs share impact of campus closures due to coronavirus
RENCA DUNN:
Almost all of the deaf schools and university programs with deaf students in the U.S. will be closed for a while because of the coronavirus pandemic. Most are shifting to online instruction.
Here are videos from teachers of deaf schools.
BREGITT – STUDENT BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST, MODEL SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF:
At first, I thought it wasn’t that big of a deal and that it wouldn’t affect us this much. I thought this would be just a temporary thing and the virus would just skip over us. We eventually realized that this was really happening and that it’s affecting us. When our schools closed and all our students went home, that was when I realized that this was truly something serious.
JENNA- ASL SPECIALIST, IOWA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF:
When they made the announcement that our schools would be closed for 4 weeks, perhaps longer, I realized that meant I couldn’t be in constant contact with my students while they learn ASL. Many of my students do not have any WiFi, laptops or any technology. Also, most of these students’ parents are hearing which means their children will get no communication access at home. That does break my heart and I just hope that all these students are doing okay!
MASA- SCHOOL COUNSELOR, PHOENIX DAY SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF:
I have students do have social media and they have communication access at home whether their family members are deaf or hearing. They’re capable of passing around information, though I hope the information is correct, but there are students who get no communication at home. They don’t have access to social media or are unable to communicate with other students. That is actually my biggest concern.
BETHANY- PRE-K TEACHER, TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF:
As a pre-kindergarten teacher teaching 4 and 5 year olds, when they come to school, we do a lot of hands-on activities. We teach these children how to do things themselves and to serve as role models. Has that involved the use of technology, iPads or iPhones? No. We don’t use them other than for school or to do projects. So now with what’s happening, how can I provide that consistent instruction while they have to go home? I have to think out of the box now.
BRIEN- TEACHER, HAWAII SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND:
There’s been a lot of impact on our school for the deaf because a lot of our students live in different islands instead of all on one island. Also, for the rest of the students, the only way they can get here is by airplane. Now the Department of Education is trying to figure out how to deal with our schools. Compared to public schools where students come from nearby, we have students who have to come from other islands to Oahu. We have students from Kauai, (2:43) Molokai Island, Maui, and the Big Island. How can they get the educational access they need so that’s what the Department of Education is trying to figure out.
RENCA DUNN:
NTID/RIT will move their classes online starting March 23 and will ask their residential students to move out.
Gallaudet University has also moved all classes online and also asked residential students to move out. The 2020 commencement is still up in the air.
Here are videos from three college seniors. Two are from Gallaudet and one is from RIT.
JAMAL- SENIOR, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY:
I’m a senior at the university and I have a double major in accounting and risk management (insurance).
I’m looking forward to graduating this May. Gallaudet notified us that their commencement event might be cancelled, put on hold, or postponed because of the coronavirus. I read about it and yes, I’m disappointed because I had the chance to finish my semester on campus and have a big graduation ceremony. I envisioned our graduating students getting their chance to walk onstage and receiving our degrees. Our families and friends would be ecstatic to observe as we celebrate our graduation. It would be the crowning achievement.
Unfortunately, Gallaudet University has asked us to leave the campus because of coronavirus. The plan is to take our courses online while we stay home.
BRIDGET- SENIOR, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY:
I’m here with Monique. We just left Gallaudet University this morning and now on our way home to Texas.
As this is our last semester, being seniors, it's hard to put our feelings into words. There’s a conflict of emotions. Many people never got to say goodbye. We just missed out on having closure we should’ve gotten. It’s been almost one week since we found that Gallaudet asked us to leave the campus. We didn’t have the chance to realize that we were leaving in the middle of March. We were looking forward to our last week before graduating and enjoying summer. Now, all of this has been moved back to March and we’re left with nothing to celebrate.
EUNYOUNG- SENIOR, RIT:
It’s funny because RIT students had been talking about whether RIT would actually close. RIT never really closes even though there’s a lot of snow or bad weather. We had our doubts that RIT would close just because of coronavirus. Then we got an email confirming that we would be getting an one-week extension for our spring break and we would be getting alternative instruction through online instead of in-person. That was when I realized how serious this actually was. When I arrived back to Rochester after my spring break, there were many food stores that were out of stock on things, even chicken breasts. Now, I feel like I’m in survival mode. Many of my friends left to go home. While I’m staying, I don’t know what to do and there’s a lot of questions I have. Many of my friends grieved over possibly not ever walking across the stage when they graduate. I feel like we never had that closure or any goodbyes, “see you next year!” or any congratulations. We ended it just like that.
RENCA DUNN:
I imagine it is very hard for the seniors. I was once a senior during college and I remember that feeling during my last semester that I wanted to make sure I savored every moment because I will never have that opportunity again after I graduate. I grieve with the seniors. Next is three employees, two from Gallaudet and one from NTID/RIT.
MEG- FACULTY, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY:
Now that we’re switching to the online format, how do I adapt my curriculum, content and concepts? How can our students understand these clearly and apply these concepts to their future work? This could actually be a critical time for our community to lead in innovating and developing a sign language rich environment through the online format.
BLAKE- SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR, NTID/RIT:
I make sure that all major communications are distributed. Are the information being distributed interpreted, captioned and accessible? While the students switch to online courses, are they getting the accessibility they need? Anyone who has questions would be referred to the correct websites.
MEG:
This is a learning curve. Students are figuring out how to proceed just like the faculty is.
FELICIA- FACULTY, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY:
I’m seeing more and more teachers creating postings of resources which I’m really thrilled about. These students need it! We need to create an environment where students can reach out for help when they need it. I’m seeing the community really coming together now. We’re embracing each other and becoming unified with all our different backgrounds.l
RENCA DUNN:
We can see how this pandemic has deeply impacted the deaf community in many ways. We also asked these people to share their encouragement for our community as we go through this hard time right now.
MASA:
Stay home, there is a way to self meditate and learn more about ourselves.
BREGITT:
It’s important that we take care of our mental health as well. Our mental health is something to be cherished and we need to take care of ourselves. We need to look out for ourselves and remain balanced.
JENNA:
I do some self care like painting as a hobby. It feels very nice.
JAMAL:
Gallaudet University is our home. This says “Bison Strong”.
BRIDGET:
It’s amazing how our community has come together. I got to sit down and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner with people I’d never eat with before. We got to chat and started to appreciate each other more than we ever did. We realized what we were losing. That really touched me.
FELICIA:
This is a time where our community needs to come together and support each other. The goal is to make all students feel welcome, supported, recognized and that they feel validated.
BLAKE:
The bright side, or the silver lining to all this, is that we all can step back. Life can be so crazy, but it’s time to relax. Spend all the time you can with your family and loved ones.
EUNYOUNG:
That’s made me realize that we don’t know what tomorrow looks like for us. It’s unpredictable so we should cherish every moment that we have right now.
RENCA DUNN:
Thank you all for sharing your experiences and encouragement. It is true that during hard times, we can also see good. Be safe and healthy.
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