Kim Mathos said the ability to speak another language and be aware of another culture can be useful in almost any field of study.

Mathos, a doctor who specializes in child and adolescent psychiatry, was not talking specifically about different spoken languages, but rather American Sign Language, the predominant sign language of Deaf communities in the United States and other countries around the world.

“People will open up to you in entirely different ways,” Mathos said. 

Mathos, along with four other panelists who work with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities, spoke at an event focusing on activism and job opportunity within the Deaf community at 6:30 p.m. in the William Pitt Union’s Kurtzman Room Monday night. About 80 students attended the presentation, which was sponsored by Pitt’s American Sign Language Club and Pitt’s Disability Resources and Services. 

A translator stood at the front of the room and signed to members of the Deaf community in attendance while each panel member spoke about their work. 

One panel member talked about influences from her personal life that led her to work with people in the Deaf community. 

Sharon Hughes-Morris, director for the Assistant Device Center and Outreach Services of the Center for Hearing and Deaf Services Inc., talked about how she grew up with a cousin who was deaf. 

However, her family did not use American Sign Language (ASL) around her cousin. Her cousin’s struggle to communicate with her family helped to inspire Hughes-Morris in her work for the Deaf community. 

“It can be hard for deaf people in the African-American community to incorporate into society, because they often have unique signs,” Hughes-Morris said. “I want to create better communication and clarity.”

The Center for Hearing and Deaf Services provides an affordable program that addresses and assists problems that those who are deaf or hard of hearing may face. 

Alexis McCathern, a freshman neuroscience major at Pitt, attended the event as part of a requirement for the American Sign Language Certificate offered by the University and said she got a lot out of the presentation. 

“I also wanted to learn how someone who can hear can be a part of the Deaf community,” McCathern said. “It was very informative.” 

According to Mathos, it is easy to be a part of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities.

“[The Deaf community] appreciates any attempt to communicate,” Mathos said. “There are many programs and ways to learn sign language. It’s also important that their basic needs are met.”

After the panelists finished speaking, one audience member asked about the effects that new technology has had on the Deaf community.

Tara Nikou, coordinator of the Choices for Children program at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, said she supports technological advances.

“Technology is crucial for the future of the Deaf community,” Nikou said. 

Scott Dougherty, a Pennsylvania-certified teacher of the deaf and adjunct professor of ASL and Instructional Technology at Duquesne, offered a counterargument. 

“Technology is both a blessing and a curse,” Dougherty said. “There are many benefits, but there is a drawback: The Deaf community doesn’t get together in person anymore because they can just use Skype or other technological ways of communication.”

Alexandria Grant, president of the American Sign Language Club at Pitt, hosted the event using a mix of sign language and spoken English. 

“This is a good opportunity for students to get internships in the field,” Grant said. “It’s also an opportunity for interested students to ask questions about their best options.” 

Anne Baxendell, interpreter manager at Sorenson Communications, a company that uses technology to empower Deaf people, gave a final piece of advice to those who may want to work with the Deaf community. 

“Follow your passion,” she said. “I work with what I love, so I win.”