Community Wave: GCC ASL Students Make a Splash for Awareness

This morning in Hagatna, gamers and tech enthusiasts might have felt the buzz of a lively wave honoring Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Month. Students from the Guam Community College’s American Sign Language (ASL) program took to the streets, creating a vibrant scene that went beyond just waving signs.

Their mission? To raise awareness and promote inclusion for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community with catchy slogans like “Inclusion Matters” and “Don’t drown them out.” Think of it as a real-world power-up for representation, making sure that everyone’s voice is heard—whether it’s on the battlefield or in everyday life.

As gamers, we know that diversity in character selection and team composition can make or break a game. Similarly, the focus on language access and advocating for the Deaf community is all about leveling the playing field in real life. Awareness events like this aren’t just a moment; they’re a chance to foster an environment where everyone can be a part of the community, no matter how they communicate.

And the conversation doesn’t stop with signs and waves. Dive deeper into the discussion with the upcoming episode of the KUAM Podcast Network’s Off the Record. It’ll feature advocates Kirsten Rosario and Kevin-Lizama Reyes, who are all about breaking barriers. They’ll share insights on language access and how we can all contribute to support this vibrant community.

So whether you’re a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, remember that everyone deserves a voice in our virtual and real worlds. It’s awesome to see our local community stepping up and reminding us that every story matters.