Spokane Public Radio highlighted a new course from the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences that aims to bridge communication gaps in health care.
Course creator and instructor Melissa Ratsch spoke with the outlet about the need to equip future health care providers with foundational skills in American Sign Language (ASL), including how to work with interpreters, and an understanding of Deaf culture.
“I have several friends and family members who are Deaf,” Ratsch told the outlet. “And I’ve seen what they have faced in their own lives when it comes to hospital care or clinic care and just the lack of awareness of what their needs are and what is required for them.”
The fall session of the 1-credit online course begins on August 18 and is open to all WSU students.