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- calendar_today October 14, 2026
New ASL Major Debuts at Ohio State University
The Ohio State University has introduced an undergraduate major in American Sign Language (ASL), giving students the opportunity to pursue in-depth studies in sign language, Deaf culture, and intercultural communication. The ASL: Applied Communications and Community Studies major launched earlier this year and is designed to meet growing demand for sign language education and raise awareness of Deaf histories and communities.
A Personal Connection Encourages Progress
Kristin Wickham-Saxon, an instructor involved in designing the new ASL major, has been signing since childhood. Her interest in ASL began when her younger cousin was born deaf, inspiring her and her mother to join family sign language classes. Wickham-Saxon credits her cousin for showing her the value of ASL and motivating her to help others gain accessibility. "I see the value in the work we do because I see the impact it makes in the daily life of my cousin, my deaf friends, when they can interact more easily in their day-to-day lives. That's something we want to bring to our students in the major," she explained.
Building an Inclusive Curriculum
The new ASL program curriculum is carefully crafted to incorporate both language skills and understanding of Deaf history and culture. Wickham-Saxon, though not a member of the Deaf community, worked closely with both deaf and hearing instructors at Ohio State to ensure diverse voices and authentic community perspectives were included. "Our deaf and hearing instructors all had a say. And all of us are connected, in some way, to Deaf communities… Everyone is bringing a different worldview to the table," she said.
Student Interest and Community Engagement
Interest in ASL courses has historically been high at Ohio State, with persistent waiting lists for introductory classes. Three students are officially enrolled in the new ASL major, while 150 students are pursuing the ASL Studies minor. Wickham-Saxon anticipates increased enrollment, noting, "There are 180 high schools in Ohio that offer ASL… Just think about how many potential ASL majors are out there in Ohio." Students in the ASL program are encouraged to participate in service-learning opportunities in partnership with local organizations and schools serving the deaf community, including the Ohio School for the Deaf in Columbus.
Understanding Deaf Culture and History
The ASL major emphasizes not only acquiring language proficiency, but also understanding the lived experiences of deaf individuals. Wickham-Saxon highlights the importance of learning about exclusion, a recurring theme in Deaf history, to better appreciate the perspectives and needs of the Deaf community. She also points out differences between ASL and spoken English, such as sentence structure and facial grammar, which can be lost when attempting to speak and sign simultaneously.
Advancing Language Accessibility
Service and accessibility are fundamental to Wickham-Saxon’s teaching philosophy. The ASL major integrates real-world engagement, encouraging students to connect classroom learning with community involvement and to appreciate family dynamics within the Deaf community. Wickham-Saxon notes that approximately 70% of families with deaf children in the U.S. do not sign, which can impact a child’s linguistic and cognitive development. "If you don’t have a solid language by the time you’re 5, you’re playing catch-up for the rest of your life, linguistically and cognitively. And families, if they don’t know the language, they can’t be a language model," she said.
Broader Impact of ASL Education
The skills acquired in the ASL major extend beyond the classroom. Wickham-Saxon believes that the program equips students for a variety of professional paths, with language accessibility and service central to its mission. "That’s the root of why I wanted to teach ASL at Ohio State. That land-grant mission, serving the community. That’s exactly what we’re doing."
Source: news.osu.edu.
