For several years, OCC has offered two courses in American Sign Language. This fall, those offerings will be expanded with five new courses as the college begins to implement a new two-year degree program, sign language interpreter. Ten additional courses will follow in 2004.

With the help of U.S. Representative David Bonior, OCC received a $100,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to develop a program in the in-demand specialty of sign language interpretation for the deaf and hearing impaired. Ours will be only the fourth degree program of its kind in the state, and the first in Oakland County.

A recent Oakland Press article stressed the need for certified sign language interpreters for the deaf. Deaf Community Advocacy Network resource consultant and advocate Claudia Lee says interpreters are needed in many situations: in classrooms; at public events; in the workplace to help with interviews, employment training and job changes; in the courts; and in hospitals and doctors’ offices.
 

A recent community assessment showed that while Michigan ranks seventh in the nation for the number of people who have hearing disabilities, it’s 45th in having enough certified and qualified interpreters, according to Lee.