- Silence in the Lab -
The Absence of American Sign Language in the
Scientific Research Workplace
- Mary Holahan -
About
Hello! My name is Mary Holahan and I am a student at the University of South Florida, studying biology with hopes of going on to study Pharmacology in the future!
When I was in high school, I studied American Sign Language (ASL) and became very close with my teacher who was hard of hearing. She would tell the class of her experiences as a deaf individual, and how it has affected her place in society. Now with hopes to work in the field of scientific research, I wondered how members of the deaf community are represented in modern day lab research efforts. After researching this topic, I have concluded that individuals that communicate primarily through ASL are not only unaccommodated for, but are also victims of discrimination in lab-type workplaces. This applies across the United States, but will be mainly analyzed in the Tampa Bay area to conduct research.The Florida Association of the Deaf (FAD) indicates that Tampa Bay, Florida has one of the largest Deaf communities in the USA. The area is home to 348,000 Deaf or hearing-impaired people, the largest such community in Florida. According to the Florida Association of the Deaf, that is the fifth-largest deaf and hard-of-hearing population concentration in the nation. Alongside this, Tampa Bay is an up-and-coming hotspot for scientific research, specifically for healthcare and life science studies. With the rise of this new era of research, comes a need for more scientists to join the cause and advance healthcare. So, as Tampa Bay has one of the highest deaf populations in Florida, things will have to change to accommodate those who want to work in the field but require different approaches when sharing information, such as the use of American Sign Language (ASL).So, as this issue grows due to the influx in scientific research efforts and the lack of deaf and hard of hearing accommodation, this becomes a more prominent problem in the Tampa Bay area. My hope is that by creating this website, attention can be brought to this issue, and support can be gained to create a more accepting environment for not only deaf individuals, but also for all those with disabilities that require accommodations in the workplace.
PEER REVIEWED
Inclusion of Sign Language in Science and EngineeringThis Journal explores challenges and progress in ASL integration in STEM through personal narratives of Deaf trailblazers, highlighting vocabulary gaps, interpreter issues, and language planning efforts.Mejia-Tejada, Alejandro (2024) Inclusion of American Sign Language in Science and Engineering, Society for American Sign Language Journal: Vol. 7: No. 1, Article 5.Click here to read
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ASL-STEM Forum: Enabling Sign Language to Grow
Through Online CollaborationAmerican Sign Language (ASL) currently lacks agreed-upon signs for complex terms in scientific fields, causing deaf students to miss or misunderstand course material. This essay discussed the ASL-STEM Forum, an collaborative online, video forum for sharing ASL signs and discussing them.Cavender, A., Otero, D., Bingham, J., & Ladner, R. (2010). "ASL-STEM Forum: Enabling Sign Language to Grow Through Online CollaborationClick here to read
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A Review of Mentoring Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing ScholarsThis article highlights the critical need to include deaf and hard-of-hearing scholars into research efforts within scientific workforce. Arguing that an accepting approach to mentorship and support are essential to overcome communication barriers and create truly inclusive scientific communities.Lynn, M. A., Butcher, E., Cuculick, J. A., Barnett, S., Martina, C. A., Smith, S. R., Pollard, R. Q., Jr., & Simpson-Haidarisi, P. J. (2020). A review of mentoring deaf and hard-of-hearing scholars. Mentor & Tutoring: An International Journal, 28(2), 211–228. https://doi.org/10.1080/13611267.2020.1749350Click to here to read
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Chemical and Biological Research with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students and Professionals: Ensuring a safe and Successful Laboratory EnvironmentThis article advocates for the inclusion of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in chemical and biological research to exemplify how their unique perspectives enrich the scientific community. Addressing common concerns about laboratory safety and communication, outlining practical strategies to create a secure and accessible environment, the article aims to explain that implementing accommodations for D/HH individuals frequently enhances safety for all laboratory personnel.Smith, S. B., Clark, B. R., Hu, S., Beninson, L. A., Pagano, T., Sadler, T. D., Booksh, K., & Ross, A. D. (2015, April 2). Chemical and biological research with deaf and hard-of-hearing students and professionals: Ensuring a safe and successful laboratory environment. Journal of Chemical Health and Safety. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1871553215000419Click here to read
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Advancing Scientific Discourse in American Sign LanguageHistorically, ASL lacked specialized scientific vocabulary due to the underrepresentation of deaf individuals in science. Now, deaf scientists are actively expanding American Sign Language (ASL) to accommodate for more complex scientific concepts such as quantum physics and immunology. This article also includes Alicia Wooten, mentioned in a video linked below.Lualdi, C.P., Spiecker, B., Wooten, A.K. et al. Advancing scientific discourse in American Sign Language. Nat Rev Mater 8, 645–650 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-023-00575-9Click here to read
NON-PEER REVIEWED
What ASL is Teaching me About Effective Science CommunicationThis author argues that ASL's visual nature offers unique advantages over spoken language for explaining complex scientific concepts, making science more accessible and engaging for all.Jarreau, P. (2024, March 23). What ASL is teaching me about effective science communication. FromTheLabBench.Click here to read
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My Experience as a Deaf Person in ScienceThis blog post shares Melody Schwenk's experiences as a Deaf PhD student navigating the field of science, highlighting challenges faced due to a lack of accommodations and societal misconceptions. Despite this, she has become a role model and advocate for other Deaf scientists, bringing attention to the need for greater inclusivity in STEM.Schwenk, M. (2024, February 28). My experience as a Deaf person in science. Neuronline.Click here to read
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Science in ASL is a whole different language: Interpreters in STEMThis blog post emphasizes the need for scientifically trained sign language interpreters to ensure communication access for deaf and hard-of-hearing scientists in STEM fields as they face challenges due to a lack of standardized science signs and specialized interpreters.Majocha, M. (2022, July 14). Science in ASL is a whole different language: Interpreters in STEM. The Mind Hears.Click here to read
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Deaf Academics say a Lack of ASL Interpreters Specialized in STEM is Holding them BackThis news article/interview explains the experiences of deaf academics in STEM fields and their challenges due to the availability and expertise of ASL interpreters, and how that directly impacts their ability to participate fully in scientific projects.Vermes, J. (2024, April 4). Deaf academics say a lack of ASL interpreters specialized in STEM is holding them back. CBC Radio.Click here to read
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Sign Language and Science: Challenges and OpportunitiesThis article discusses efforts, such as the "Quantum Science in ASL" project, to devise and standardize new signs for scientific concepts, emphasizing the importance of visual accessibility and communication in STEM for deaf individuals.Essa, I. (n.d.). Sign language and science: Challenges and opportunities. Names Network.Click here to read
How Deaf Researchers are Reinventing Science Communication
- Verge Science -Scientists rely on precise, standard terminology for common ground and effective communication at work. However, deaf researchers and students struggle with American Sign Language not being caught up with terms for new discoveries. This video covers how some scientists are working to create their own signs from scratch.
_______________________________________________________________________The Importance of Sign-Language for an Inclusive Future
- TEDx Talks -This TEDxYouth talk emphasizes the critical role of sign language in fostering an inclusive future. Highlighting that 1.5 billion people globally are speaking and hearing impaired, with only a small percentage understood by others. The speaker calls upon communities and individuals to take action, either by advocating for sign language education or by independently learning the language, stressing its importance in moving towards an equal world for all.
_______________________________________________________________________Where I'm Coming From: Alicia Wooten
- Boston University -Alicia Wooten, a PhD candidate studying Streptococcus pneumoniae at Boston University, finds her lab environment challenging due to progressive hearing loss. Her work is significantly aided by supportive colleagues and a principal investigator who learned basic American Sign Language to communicate with her.