ASL workshop: enhances communication, one sign at a time

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brandon Esau
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF Mildenhall, England --  The world can be a scary place for anybody who may struggle to communicate, and not having the ability to be completely understood can be quite frustrating. Emotions may flare up and words may be misinterpreted.

Those in the deaf and hard-of-hearing community may not be strangers to this occurrence, but their loved ones and people within their local communities understand the vital importance of bridging the communication gap and allowing for everyone to flourish and live their best life.

Bridging the gap is one reason why the 100th Force Support Squadron Airman and Family Readiness Center, along with the help of the equal opportunity office and the diversity and inclusion committee, held an American Sign Language class Oct. 23, 2018.

This was the second of a four-part workshop during October, which is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“This workshop is designed to be a part of honoring the National Disability Employment Month and all that entails,” said Heejung Sackett, 100th FSS Exceptional Family Member Program support coordinator. “We want to raise workcenter awareness of the importance of accommodating those with disabilities.”

The ASL workshop, which was free and open to all Airmen and their families, is a part of the action plan that Sackett hopes to implement as EFMP support coordinator and create a community that fosters proper communication.

“Sign language is one of the methods to try and raise awareness, so those with a disability feel included in our workplaces and interpersonal communities,” Sackett explained. “It’s important to have the right attitude when it comes to accommodating people, and when you have a general interest in people, there are so many things we can do together effectively and efficiently.”

To create this new dynamic on RAF Mildenhall, Ann Alexander, 100th FSS sign language interpreter, leads the charge and provides education to beginner, intermediate and advanced participants.

“I enjoy being in this position because I’m able to help those in the deaf community and allow for them to have communication access,” Alexander said. “If they are allowed this access, there is no limit to what can be achieved.”

Alexander has been an interpreter for over a decade and believes that starting with the simplest tasks when learning sign language allows for participants to have a greater appreciation for the language and promotes growth with each new class.

“In the beginning, I say the word, show the sign and explain how you should position your hands for each part of a sentence,” Alexander described. “I also try to explain the reason why it is the way it is, because I found that helps people understand the language better.

“Every single palm orientation, movement of your hand or even the slightest turn of your hand can all mean something completely different,” Alexander explained.

Chaplain Capt. Kennie Neal, 100th Air Refueling Wing chaplain and volunteer interpreter, agrees that teaching sign language enhances communication within the Team Mildenhall community.

“This is a great opportunity for Airmen and their families to come and learn another way to communicate effectively amongst each other,” Neal said. “Empowering those in the deaf community and having their needs and wants satisfied is one way we can all grow.”

Traversing communication gaps between the deaf and hearing communities is something Sackett believes is an integral part of the Team Mildenhall mission, and instilling the proper mindset about accommodation will allow the community to achieve success.

“Participation in this opportunity, mingling with others and having casual dialogues will help change some peoples’ mindsets for the better and spread the message of compassion and patience,” Sackett conveyed. “One day, more and more people will be aware of who they work with, who lives in their communities and empathize with the struggles they may face, and this will allow for our society to become better as a whole.”