Wright State ASL students create Deaf World for their capstone project

Wright State University students Gabby Gramkow and Jacqueline Eddingfield had a distinct vision for their sign language interpreting capstone project: a quiet event buzzing with visual activity.

The Wright State Student Union Atrium was packed March 10 as students, faculty, staff and volunteers took part in their immersion event, Deaf World 2017.

“Deaf and hard of hearing people live in a hearing world, 24/7/ 365 so we reversed the roles and we’re seeing what happens,” said Gramkow.

Volunteers set up themed booths so that high school and Wright State students could use their sign language abilities in real world situations, including at the bank, with an auto mechanic or even a travel agent.

“This was an experience for them to meet different people and be able to talk with them and gain experience,” signed Arlon Nash, a teacher at Springfield High School.

The event hosted students and others from the Dayton, Cincinnati and Columbus deaf communities.

The event was sponsored by Wright State’s American Sign Language program. Gramkow and Eddingfield partnered with the American Sign Language club to organize Deaf World.