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Communicating Successfully in College
Maia Chamberlain
For me, communicating takes extra time daily and a lot of extra steps to put the dialogue into my communication device for class presentations. The work is a little harder, but the rewards are worth it.
Using Sign Language vs. My Augmentative Communication Device
I communicate using sign language and an app on my iPad that speaks for me. Using sign language is my preferred mode of communication. It is easier for me to use, but people can’t always know what I’m saying. I have known sign language since I was two years old. When I use my communication device everyone can understand me, but it is not always available or even quick enough for me to use. I think using my device to communicate makes people feel more comfortable because they know what I’m saying. They don’t have to wonder how to talk with me. I’ve used some sort of augmentative communication since I was three years old. Either way, it is not always easy and takes a lot of time and hard work to have basic communication. It is important for me to always have more than one way to communicate, more partners to communicate with, communication strategies, and to know my communication environment. That helps me know when to use which form of communication.
Communicating in Class
In class I use both sign language and my device to ask and answer questions. When I’m home doing remote learning, I type in the chat box on Zoom or send emails with my questions. I know it is important to participate in class in college because I want to do my best in school. When doing projects for my classes, I can do Google Slides with videos embedded of me using my device to talk. Videos make it almost like I’m standing in front of class presenting. Other projects were shared by me completing them ahead of time and then sending them to my professor to help facilitate the sharing on Zoom. Another reason it is important to answer questions and comment in class is because it has helped other students get to know me. They would know that I use sign language, I’m nonverbal, and I’m smart. That helped them know me better and know how to talk with me. It leads to making connections and friends on campus. I am not shy. I will go up and talk to people. One day on campus, I noticed two classmates I had seen walking up ahead on their way to class. I ran up to say hi so we could walk together to class. Even though we had never talked before, they knew my name and how to communicate with me by asking yes/no questions until my aide could catch up to help interpret for me.