Deaf and hard-of-hearing patients often face significant barriers to accessing quality health care, from a lack of qualified interpreters to miscommunication in the exam room. These challenges can lead to delayed treatment and even avoidance of care altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This fall, Washington State University\u2019s Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences in the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine is taking a step toward addressing these barriers with a new medical ASL course. Designed to equip future health care providers with foundational skills in American Sign Language (ASL) and an understanding of Deaf culture, the 1-credit online course is open to all WSU students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWorking with Deaf patients is very different from working with someone who speaks another verbal language,\u201d said WSU Associate Professor Melissa Ratsch, the course\u2019s creator and instructor. \u201cThere are unique considerations when it comes to interpreters, communication flow, and cultural understanding. This course is designed to help students navigate those differences with confidence and respect.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course was inspired in part by Ratsch\u2019s personal experiences. With several Deaf family members, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges Deaf individuals face in medical settings. A particularly difficult emergency room visit where a relative was unable to access an interpreter highlighted the urgent need for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI ended up interpreting over FaceTime,\u201d she recalled. \u201cThat experience really drove home how unprepared many health care systems are to serve Deaf patients.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the course is especially relevant for students pursuing careers in health care fields including medicine, nursing, and pharmacy, it offers valuable skills for anyone planning to work in a clinical or client-facing role, including veterinarians, social workers, psychologists, and first responders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The course introduces students to more than 200 basic ASL signs, with a focus on medical vocabulary and clinical interactions. Students will also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFacial expressions aren\u2019t just emotion\u2014they\u2019re part of the grammar,\u201d Ratsch explained. \u201cUnderstanding that helps providers avoid misinterpretations and build trust.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No prior ASL experience is required to enroll in the course. Interested students can find the course listed as SHS 450 Special Topics in Speech and Hearing Sciences: Medical ASL in the WSU course catalog<\/a>, with sessions offered in the fall and winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The department also offers general ASL courses for students interested in further developing their language skills.<\/p>\n\n\n