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ELKINS – Local students have organized a class to offer sign language instruction to emergency responders and law enforcement personnel in the region.
Randolph Technical Center’s Future Business Leaders of America will host the free class from 8-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Thursday at the school.
Club members organized the class as their FBLA community service project. Club President Micah Toney said everyone is welcome to attend, although the information will be geared toward fire fighters, police and EMTs.
“We will be teaching the basics of American sign language to anybody in the emergency response community,” he said.
Toney said there are several RTC FBLA members who are well-versed in sign language or have friends who are hearing-impaired.
“We just wanted to help out the deaf people,” he said. “It’s not just us – West Virginia has a need and we wanted to help with that need.”
Toney noted 4.2 percent of the state’s population is deaf. He added it’s important emergency personnel are educated in how to identify and communicate with the hearing impaired during emergency situations.
During the class, an instructor will teach common phrases like “Are you hurt?,” “Where’s the pain?” and “Do you have a license?”
“I’d really hope first responders will come so they can learn in case they encounter a deaf person,” Toney said. “That way they’ll know exactly what to do and what to say – not only for the benefit of deaf people, but also anybody else that they would need to communicate with.”
Randolph County E-911 Director Cindy Hart said she’d like to encourage all first responders in the county to attend the class.
“It can be a huge barrier for us,” she said. “We want to make sure everybody gets the help they need.”
Hart added she’d like to see another class offered later in the evenings to ensure all emergency personnel, including volunteers who work through the day, have an opportunity to attend.
RTC Principal John Daniels said organizing the event has proven to be a valuable learning experience for the students.
“It’s a great opportunity to organize and benefit the community with this project,” he said. “It teaches them valuable skills they can use throughout life in everything they do.”
Snacks and refreshments will be provided and instructional materials will be distributed to participants.