CWU educator discusses challenges facing deaf and sign language studies in Washington

CWU's Deaf and Sign Language Studies coordinator Taralynn Petrites is working to remedy the shortage of deaf educators in Washington through the state's first deaf and sign language studies program.

CWU is home to the state's first deaf and sign language studies course, and coordinator Taralynn Petrites

Petrites view the foundational degree program as an important initial step in offering a full deaf education program at Central, but there is still much work to be done.

In a recent interview with National Public Radio (NPR), Petrites talked about the steps our state can take to create more equitable opportunities for the deaf and hard of hearing, including offering a bachelor of arts degree in American Sign Language (ASL).

"What I want to see is more universities that offer a BA degree in ASL," she said. "Plus, later on, expand that into interpreting because, really, we have two things I'm talking about. First of all is the requirement of a master's degree for teachers of the deaf who have strong ASL skills. And a BA degree, which is still a four-year program that focuses on ASL skills and generalized training.

"But two years to train interpreters is not enough," she continued. "Many educational interpreters are suffering because of the lack of quality educational interpreters. That's why it's very crucial that we don't rush the process."

Back in 2020, Petrites developed a grant proposal for the Washington Legislature that would have allocated $200,000 for an interpreter program. The program was designed to give free interpreter training to prospective students, with the requirement that graduates stay in state for at least two years. But the proposal ultimately fell through when financial priorities shifted due to the pandemic.

"With the community throughout Washington state and their support, I would be more than happy to re-introduce that same proposal," she said. "I really do hope we could still make that happen."

Regarding her hopes for the future of training more deaf education specialists for more classrooms around the state, Petrites believes a number of important steps can be taken in the short term.

"My vision is that every school district should have a requirement to reach out to a particular agency that is a consultant throughout the hiring process," she said. "That agency has a working knowledge of what a qualified teacher of the deaf looks like."

Many school districts have no idea what a qualified teacher or a qualified interpreter looks like, Petrites noted.

"All of the school districts need to have one central location to reach out to, and that's where they can get the help that they need to improve the services they provide," she said.

Petrites also talked about how important community involvement will be to convincing the Legislature to fund more deaf education programs. She encourages more people to speak to their local universities to set up BA and master's programs in deaf education and sign language.

"Washington state really needs to do this," she said. "I am asking please, that the community roll up its sleeves and get involved and let's make something happen here in Washington state."