Throughout September, LT’s American Sign Language club is leading efforts to celebrate Deaf Awareness Month, using events and social media campaigns to highlight Deaf culture, history, and advocacy.

“This year, ASL club is excited to share Deaf Culture ‘Did You Know?’ facts on our Instagram page,” ASL teacher and Club Sponsor Krystle Conrad said. “We’ll also be featuring some of our ASL students as they share their favorite signs, so you can learn alongside them.”

The club, which has been growing in both size and reach, focused on visibility during September. In addition to posting student-led content, they reposted work created by Deaf artists and activists. 

“ASL club is planning to have multiple student-led posts that will go on our Instagram page, @lt_asl,” club member Zany Monik ‘26 said. “We are also trying to repost a Deaf artist daily during this month.” 

Deaf awareness month is a time for the Deaf community to celebrate their culture, history, and language, Conrad said. It provides visibility and recognition for deaf individuals, highlights the contributions of deaf leaders, and advocates while raising awareness about barriers that still exist in education, employment, healthcare, and daily life. 

This year, the ASL club is also turning to film and guest speakers to bring awareness into classrooms. Students will watch “Deaf President Now,” a documentary directed by Deaf advocate Nyle DiMarco that highlights the 1988 student-led protest at Gallaudet University, where students demanded the appointment of the school’s first Deaf president. The club also plans to welcome a Deaf guest speaker who lived through the historic movements to share their firsthand perspectives. 

“Exposing the LT community to Deaf culture benefits everyone by increasing understanding, empathy, and communication between Deaf and hearing individuals,” Conrad said. “It also helps break down misconceptions and stereotypes about Deaf teachers at LT; it helps others learn how to interact respectfully and effectively with me and other Deaf individuals, instead of assuming I can hear them.”

For students like Monik, spreading this awareness is especially important in communities where the Deaf population is small. The club aims to encourage inclusivity among LT students of all skill levels. 

“Since there is not a huge Deaf community at LT and La Grange, it is important that people understand the trials and hardships that Deaf people have jumped through to have equality in the world,” Monik said. “It doesn’t matter if you know sign or not, we teach [multiple] ways to communicate with Deaf people, including sign language.” 

The ASL club hosted numerous events that fostered relationships between hearing and Deaf individuals, as well as with other high schools, including the second-ever ASL JAM and a panel. ASL cub made the first one, Manik said. 

“This awareness creates a more inclusive and supportive environment for all,” Conrad said. “For many in the Deaf community, this month is about empowerment, pride, and reminding society of the importance of accessibility and equality.”