Douglas College instructor builds bridges between Deaf and hearing communities

For Nigel Howard, working at Douglas College is all about building bridges between the Deaf and hearing communities.

"I am the only Deaf instructor nationally who teaches courses about topics other than interpreter, sign language and Deaf culture," says Howard.

In addition to teaching for the Program of Sign Language Interpretation (INTR), Howard instructs classes on personal and professional development, wellness and community in other programs in the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies. While students are required to only use American Sign Language (ASL) in INTR classes, Howard lectures with an interpreter in his other courses.

"There's a pretty progressive attitude here at Douglas College," says Howard.

Howard, who has taught at the college for about 12 years, enjoys elements of both INTR and other courses.

"I get to see both cultures and languages working in this setting. The variety helps me become flexible. I see what's out there in the world in other programs and bring it back to INTR. You need to be skilled in both cultures and languages to move between them," says Howard.

INTR is "my contribution to the students and to the community. I give to them and they give back to the Deaf community," he says.

The strong relationship between Douglas College and the Deaf community is a unique aspect of INTR, says Howard. During a screening weekend where instructors vet potential students for the coming year, members of the Deaf community and professional interpreters help screen applicants. The program takes 16 students each year and nearly twice as many apply.

INTR students also work closely with the community and interpreters during a retreat weekend and three practicums. These close ties give the Deaf community "some ownership of and partnership in the program," says Howard. This is important as graduates of the program will work with the community and interpreters.

Howard is a well-known member of the Deaf community and speaks worldwide about professional interpreter development, Deaf culture and many other topics. Indeed, he is an important connection to the Deaf community says INTR Program Coordinator Cheryl Palmer.

"Nigel is a huge asset to the program. He has a wealth of experience through his education, his experience as a deaf interpreter and his travel around the world. Having seen him at work in the classroom and giving seminars at various conferences, I can tell you he relishes the opportunity to share his knowledge with interpreters and the Deaf community and is very good at what he does," says Palmer.

Teaching courses in other CFCS programs allows Howard to have an impact on students who may have never encountered a deaf person. As a result, a graduate working with a deaf youth in the social services system for instance may be better able to match that youth's needs.

"It could create an opportunity to change the attitude of people in the field," says Howard.

This is equally important for employers who may be hesitant to hire a deaf person. According to a survey conducted by the Canadian Association of the Deaf in 1998, 41.9 percent of deaf Canadians are underemployed and 37.5 percent are unemployed, leaving just 20.6 percent fully employed.

Howard says being deaf is more comparable to being an immigrant with little or no English than being disabled. Deaf people have a language and culture of their own, similar to someone of a different ethnicity. Education is a big step in changing attitudes and challenging stereotypes, says Howard.

Howard, who lived in Japan for more than a year, spoke with employers there about hiring deaf candidates. He recalls one who was particularly resistant. However, he managed to convince them to hire a few deaf people. "They were blown away. They couldn't believe the skills the deaf people had," says Howard.

Related Links

Program of Sign Language Interpretation
Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies
More Feature Stories