Abstract:
The cooperative program between Ball State and the Indiana School for the Deaf in Indianapolis includes three essential elements. These are the work in the classrooms, teaching in the Communication Center of the school, and the experiences of cultural Immersion. The first element deals with the responsibilities of the classroom faced by the Ball State students. The second element discusses the duties of teaching to the unique communication needs of Deaf children. The third element encompasses a wide range of topics regarding Deaf culture and the author's contact with them, such as entry into Deaf culture, aspects of American Sign Language, and communicating in Deaf culture. In addition to these three elements is an explanation of Deaf culture to the general, hearing public. A prototype brochure, to use by the Indiana School for the Deaf and Ball State University for promoting the program has also been produced. Included in the brochure are brief descriptions of the three primary components, and photographs of interaction of university and ISD students.
