Sign Language & Cultural Consultant
Beside teaching sign language and Deaf culture at academic settings, one of my passions is to provide his services and support to those who are interested in including their local Deaf communities. I have partook several projects, committees and jobs to represent my communities and their needs/rights. My involvements ranges from working with theatre interpreters to training city’s first responders. I believe more will respect and celebrate my language, culture, my communities and their needs more if they get to see, talk and work with Deaf people.
Experience:
Columbia College Chicago’s American Sign Language Club - Present
I stepped in as Club’s advisor where he is responsible to ensure the executive board is guiding the club and its members alongside ASL Department and its students’ academic goals.
Steppenwolf Theatre Company - 2009 to 2018
I was hired as Sign Language Master and to work with their sign language interpreters. I had prepared interpreters for more than 75 productions. With both, Steppenwolf’s motivation and my passion for theatre, we went beyond and transformed the theatre’s philosophy and increased their ability to provide accessibility services to their Deaf theatre-goers. This lead Steppenwolf Theatre Co. to win Deaf Illinois Awards’ “The Most Accessible Theatre” for four consecutive years. I believe this is the reason why other theaters in Chicago are now putting more efforts into improving their accessibility services for the Deaf theatre-goers.
Neverbird Project - 2017
I was invited to be on Neverbird Project’s production team as their Sign Language Creative Director. I translated and glossed the script, created videos of myself signing each actor’s signing parts, taught cast members sign language, educated directors about on-stage signing (blocking and lighting) and provided one-on-one sign language training sessions.
Chicago’s Children Theatre - 2017
During a production, I was asked to guide how to transform the space to become more Deaf-friendly. He ended up developed guidance and provided training for their front of house staff on how to interact with Deaf theatre-goers.
Chicago Transit Authority - 2010
I was asked to partake Chicago Transit Authority’s ADA Compliance Committee. I provided insights into Deaf people’s experience using CTA’s transportation services. During my time on the committee, I have worked with Howard Rosenblum and other people with disabilities to ensure CTA’s new L Trains are designed to be Deaf-friendly - announcement screen, flashing door light, map with “next-stop” light indicator, etc.
Victory Garden Theatre - 2009 to 2011
I was asked to assist in setting up a system where they could hire and prepare their interpreters for the interpreted shows. I also provided the theatre’s marketing team on how to outreach Chicago’s Deaf community and educate them about their accessibility services.