Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1473705
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JULY 20 - 26, 2022 UCW 11 Around 500,000 Americans use American Sign Language to communi- cate throughout the United States and Canada. Introduced in 1817 by omas Galludet, ASL is one of over 300 sign languages used worldwide. Interest in ASL has increased with additional available access to tutorials like those found on YouTube and Tik- Tok. Additionally, ASL is often offered as a foreign language in the country's secondary and post-secondary educa- tion curricula. Deaf visibility has also risen tremen- dously over the last several decades, with interpreters signing major political events, awards shows and press confer- ences for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. However, the ASL community is comparatively small, comprising only about 1% of the population, and oppor- tunities for socialization can be difficult. One way for both deaf and hearing people to come together for conver- sation or to practice conversational ASL is through Deaf Coffee Chat. With chapters all over the country, Deaf Coffee Chat is a social event where deaf people, students of ASL, or otherwise affiliated members of the deaf commu- nity meet regularly to socialize. While these gatherings often occur in local coffee shops, they can also happen in malls, ice cream shops and generally any place serving food and drink. No matter the setting, Deaf Coffee Chats' chief objective is to offer a safe environ- ment for members of the deaf commu- nity to interact in their native tongue. After a lengthy hiatus due to CO- VID-19 precautions, Deaf Coffee Chat Fayetteville is set to return to its regularly scheduled meetings on the first ursday of every month beginning August 4 on the second floor of e Coffee Scene on Morganton Road from 6 to 9 p.m. e free, family-friendly event isn't exclusive to fluent speakers of ASL. From beginners to interpreters, the door is open to anyone interested in learning more about the language and deaf culture. Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Tabby, owner and web developer of DeafCoffee.com, a website that pro- vides an index of social places in the United States where deaf people can "get together, chat, and enjoy!" DeafCoffee.Com was first launched in 2003 by Grant Laird, Jr., and has since operated under one goal: to create connections across the United States for members of the Deaf Community no matter where they happen to live or where they happen to visit. e site is designed to be an easy-to-use reference and works diligently to keep meeting places up to date. In addition to the Fayetteville chapter, there are at least three active coffee chat meet ups out of North Carolina in Apex, Boiling Springs and Princeton, accord- ing to DeafCoffee.com. While socializing is at the top of the group's agenda, Tabby sees great value in the get-togethers outside of sharing a laugh and a cup of coffee. "Opportunities for ASL students to further practice their signing by meet- ing deaf people are quite valuable. ey also have a chance to learn things they would not have learned in a classroom setting. Also of value is meeting people in a deaf coffee chat which could lead to friendships and even careers (such as interpreters)." Deaf Coffee Chat is free and open to the public. While no purchases are necessary to participate, support of the coffee shop is encour- aged. Coffee Scene is located at 3818 Mor- ganton Road in Fayetteville. For more information on Deaf Coffee Chat Fayetteville, visit https://www. facebook.com/deafcoffeefayetteville. Deaf Coffee Chats resume by ASHLEY SHIRLEY ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? editor@upandcom- ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200. EVENT 109 Hay Street, Suite 202, Fayetteville, NC 28312 (910) 483 - 3696 For effective advertising contact us today! 910•484•6200 Photo courtesy of Pexels.