International Week of Deaf People
International Week of Deaf People, also known as Deaf Awareness Week, is an initiative that was established by World Federation of the Deaf and first launched in Rome, Italy in 1958. The goal of the initiative is to celebrate Deaf people. This celebration takes place annually during the last full week of September. The theme for 2022’s International week of Deaf People is Building Inclusive Communities for All.
In support of International Week of Deaf People, the Michael D. Eisner College of Education and the department of Deaf Studies is proud to highlight three CSUN student organizations: Deaf Studies Association, Black Signers Club, and Deaf CSUNians. These organizations are building and inclusive community for all by promoting awareness of the Deaf community, celebrating Deaf culture and creating a space for our Deaf and Hard of Hearing students to fell connected and inspired.
Deaf Studies Association (DSA)
Members in organization: There are seven board members that plan events and activities. Anyone is welcome to attend and participate in these events!
Days/time/location of meetings: Regular meetings are not scheduled. Events are hosted continually throughout the year. You can find upcoming events on social media!
Instagram: csundsa
Information provided by: Caroline Baumann, Vice President of Deaf Studies Association, Deaf Studies and Geography major
What is the mission/goals/history of DSA?
Our mission is to bring together people of varied backgrounds for the purpose of celebrating American Sign Language and raising awareness of Deaf culture. Our organization supports social justice for all peoples and hopes to bridge communication between hearing and Deaf communities.
Our goals for this year are to work to create a strong community of signers at CSUN and in the surrounding areas. We want to provide opportunities to socialize with other people who have a passion for Deaf Studies, and to spread that passion into the CSUN community.
Why did you join? Why should others join?
I joined DSA because I was longing for a sense of community within Deaf Studies after being
isolated due to the pandemic. Deaf Studies classes have been online the past few years, so it has been difficult to socialize with other signers. DSA provides opportunities to meet people from all different signing backgrounds and build circles of support where our knowledge of Deaf culture and signing can flourish.
What is your favorite part of the organization or what is your favorite activity?
DSA hosts a ton of different events so it is hard to pick my favorite! Deaf Starbucks Nights are always a good place to socialize, but I also love the bowling events because it is a great way to break the ice and meet new people. My all-time favorite activity that DSA hosts is our co-ed sports teams because it is a fun way to exercise while also building community with fellow team mates. That is definitely something I am looking forward to in the spring!
How has being a part of this organization enhanced your experience at CSUN?
This organization has helped me meet new people from the local area and improve my signing skills. I have learned so much just from interacting with my peers. Since joining this organization, I feel much more connected to the CSUN community.
Do you partner with any other organizations on campus or with the local community?
Yes! We partner with many of the other Deaf organizations on campus including Deaf CSUNians and the Black Signers Club. Every event we have is open to the whole community, from CSUN and beyond, so anyone can come!
How does your organization build an inclusive community?
We foster community in our organization by making sure everyone is included and supported. We invite people from all backgrounds to be a part of our organization and make it our goal to cater to people from all different signing levels. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate, from people who have never signed and are just interested in learning, to native signers that have been signing since they were born.
What do you want others to know about DSA?
I would like everyone to know that everyone in DSA is friendly and inclusive. All are welcome to join in the fun!
Black Signers Club
Members in organization: There are five board members in our organization.
Days/time/location of meetings: Every other Tuesday evening on Zoom
Instagram: csunblacksigners
Information provided by: Tyra Darnell White, Co-president and Treasurer of Black Signers Club, Preliminary Education Specialist Credential Deaf/Hard of Hearing
What is the mission/goals/history of Black Signers Club?
Black Signers was created by Dr. Lissa Stapleton, full-time faculty in the Deaf Studies department. Dr. Stapleton saw the need for students of color in the field of Deaf Studies to gather together to create a space to learn, socialize and support each other. Black Signers successfully became a CSUN club in 2019 right before the COVID19 pandemic.
Black Signers Club is a space for Black Deaf and Black signing individuals. We are here to spread awareness of the Black Deaf community and culture. We strive to bring the Black Deaf community together, both on and off campus and create a space for Black signers to socialize and uplift each other.
Why did you join? Why should others join?
Students on campus should join Black Signers Club because of the community we have formed together. Even through COVID and running activities online, we have thrived with our panels, workshops, and Instagram series.
Black/African American and other POC signers should join if they share the same goal of educating and spotlighting minority communities. We as minority students are navigating through higher education with a goal in mind to bring together our community. There are so few of us Black/African American Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf Studies majors on campus, and when we work together to support one another, we are much stronger and can make a bigger impact at CSUN and beyond.
What is your favorite part of the organization or what is your favorite activity?
The meetings are my favorite part of being in Black Signers Club. Our meetings give us a space to express our frustrations and discuss about life and school. We also support each other and provide resources to members and plan amazing events!
My favorite events are during Black History Month. The last three years we have planned a series of lectures, panels and signed Instagram informational videos focused on the Black Deaf community. We plan to host a few socials during the fall semester and we are planning for Black Deaf History month in the spring.
How has being a part of this organization enhanced your experience at CSUN?
I gained a space of belonging by joining the Black Signers Club. There are so very few Black students on campus and even fewer in the Deaf Studies Department. During my time at CSUN and as a member of the Black Signers Club I’ve had the opportunities to learn, experience and feel accepted here on campus as a Black signer.
Do you partner with any other organizations on campus or with the local community?
Yes! We have partnered with the Deaf Studies Department, Africana Studies, Deaf Studies Association, Deaf CSUNians and many others on campus.
How does your organization build an inclusive community?
Our club is focused on Black Deaf culture but welcome everyone to our events. We provide interpreting services, so everyone is welcome to learn more about Black Deaf culture and community. We have socials and academic panels most prominently during Black History Month to spotlight the Black Deaf community and the people thriving in our space.
What do you want others to know about Black Signers Club?
Black Signers Club motivates and encourages each other in all of our endeavors on and off campus; this includes academics, other clubs our members may be a part of, as well as work outside of campus. With CSUN only having around 4.5 % Black students on campus and an even smaller population of Black Signers, we provide a safe space to practice ASL skills, socialize, encourage one another, share problems and frustrations, and find solutions. Black Signers is not a place to learn ASL but is a space to come and practice ASL skills, socialize and make important and lasting connections.
Deaf CSUNians
Members in organization: 25 active members
Days/time/location of meetings: Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30pm, NCOD at CSUN
Instagram: deaf_csunians
Information provided by: Hannah Metzer, President, Single Subject Math and Erica Valle, Vice President, Deaf Studies
What is the mission/goals/history of Deaf CSUNians?
Deaf CSUNians is for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students on campus. It was founded in 1980, and is now has one of the largest groups of deaf students at any state university or college in the United States (Hannah).
Deaf CSUNians is here to spread awareness of our unique culture of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people with our ASL natives, ASL users, and others alike. It is important for us to be in Deaf communities to support and learn from each other. (Erica)
Why did you join? Why should others join?
I enjoy meeting new people and working as a team to host events. I joined this club to keep myself busy and to find something to do after finishing my schoolwork! Deaf CSUNians represents my Deaf identity and is like a second home to me. (Hannah)
Others should join Deaf CSUNians because it is a great opportunity for students to develop their leadership skills and socialize with others. (Erica)
What is your favorite part of the organization or what is your favorite activity?
My favorite part of Deaf CSUNians is an event called “JASK Week”. JASK is short for Just Ask. The club organizes this event every year in March and the purpose of this event is to help promote and educate the public about Deaf culture, sign language, and its people. We have hosted a few speakers, including Deaf celebrities, have movie screenings, game nights and many other events during this week. My favorite part of this JASK is to see members help each other organize these events and make it successful. (Erica)
What did you gain or hope to gain by being in this organization?
Deaf CSUNians has helped me develop leadership and social skills. It has provided me with support and I encourage others to join as well. I was an introverted person and never thought I would become vice president of Deaf CSUNians. However, making new friends and socializing with others every meeting helps me open up and build my confidence. (Erica)
My hope is for others to join Deaf CSUNians so they will know they are not alone and we hope to support every person from the Deaf community. (Hannah)
Do you partner with any other organizations on campus or with the local community?
Without a doubt! We have partnered with Gallaudet University (The only university in the world that is exclusively devoted to Deaf and Hard of Hearing students) and last year we collaborated with the Deaf Asian Signers Organization. When we host events, we try to always collaborate with the Deaf Studies Association (DSA). (Hannah)
How does your organization build an inclusive community?
This club is one of the most active on the California State University, Northridge campus, through hosting social and educational events. CSUNians has improved college life and fostered mutual understanding between Deaf and hearing students! (Hannah)
What do you want others to know about your organization?
Deaf CSUNians is an amazing organization and many Deaf/Hard of Hearing students
enjoy this club. We host great events and we bring awareness about Deaf culture and its language. (Erica)