(Seguin) — Thanks to a local group of residents, the ASL community is not going unheard here in Seguin. Tonight marks the first night for the first American Sign Language Chat Time at Court Street Coffee Shop.
Sharon Westerholm says after always having to go out of town, she and a group of other individuals felt it was time that Seguin had its own source of support.
“A group of us get together and go over to New Braunfels, the New Braunfels ASL social over there and we have always just thought about having something here in Seguin to make it a little bit more convenient for some people. We know that there are people here in Seguin that would like to partake in this and actually learn the language or who would like to be involved in some way and we just thought that we’d try to make it easier for them if we tried to start one up here as well,” said Westerholm.
Westerholm says they have scheduled a calendar of monthly gatherings, and the group is excited about extending the invitation to anyone in the community.
“The idea behind it is just for people who use ASL — deaf and hard of hearing — just an opportunity to come together and just to socialize and share ideas. Maybe get some ideas on different issues, maybe be informed about some different issues,” said Westerholm. “Some of the greatest people or nicest people or some of the funniest people I know are deaf and being hard of hearing myself — it is something that I’ve always wanted to learn — ASL. This just encourages people to come out. You can take all kinds of classes. You can take courses and things like that to learn the language which is a great thing but to really be immersed in it, be with people who know the language, who grew up with the language, who are interpreters — that sort of thing and to be in the culture itself, you begin to pick up a lot more if you are actually interacting with people who are actually using it,” said Westerholm.
Each month, the group will meet upstairs at Court Street Coffee Shop. An elevator is available for those who need it. Westerholm says all accommodations are being made so that there are no obstacles or feelings of hesitation to attend.
“Everyone, come on out. Don’t be afraid. You may feel lost right at first but I promise you, there will be people there to help you and if it something that you want to do, I encourage you to learn it,” said Westerholm.
Today’s ASL Chat Time will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.