Alivia Sanderson is a student at Saint Michael’s College. This article is published through a collaboration between The Winooski News and a journalism course at Saint Michael’s College.
WINOOSKI — When you walk into Brittney Janelle Staffieri’s classroom at the University of Vermont, you won’t hear much, although there is plenty of conversation taking place.
On a recent November morning, the room was silent aside from the sounds of water bottles opening, papers rustling and the occasional giggle following a flurry of hand movements between students.
Staffieri, 36, has taught hundreds of students in American Sign Language.
An ASL and Deaf Studies lecturer at UVM, she has seven years of teaching experience across the United States, with additional experience studying sign languages around the globe.
“I really feel like my philosophy is: learn about people, have an understanding, have an open mind, have an open heart,” Staffieri said through an interpreter.
Her classes, consisting of about 20 students, take place in bigger rooms to accommodate for a visual language. In Staffieri’s level 3 ASL class, the students sat in a semi-circle to provide easy viewing. Staffieri started by asking every student individually how they were, followed by brief follow-up questions regarding their responses. The class was filled with smiles and laughter following their conversations.
The class then reviewed different vocabulary signs for their unit, followed by breaking up into groups and discussing questions posted on the board. Finally, class ended with an exercise. Each student had a paper with statements, and went around the room to find another person who “fit” the statement on their paper.
Through two interviews, Staffieri and I talked through an ASL interpreter about the joys and challenges of being a Deaf woman of color in Vermont.
Q. When you moved, did you notice a big difference in the Deaf community on the West Coast vs. here in Vermont?
A. In California, you have got tons to do, you’re always busy. There are tons of Deaf events there.
That’s not the case here. The Deaf community is quiet, they like to stay home, do their own thing.
One thing I really noticed was, you know, kind of hard to navigate in California, there are not a lot of resources. Everyone’s trying to get a piece of the pie.
But in Vermont, there’s not as many Deaf people. So, it’s much easier to get those resources.
Q. Do you think Vermont, or more specifically Burlington, has been inclusive and welcoming to you as a Deaf individual?
A. So, Burlington versus Vermont are two different things.
For Burlington, I would say yes. I feel pretty darn comfortable and included in the community. If I decide to go get tea out somewhere, I feel like the community is like, ‘Yeah, oh, you’re deaf, great. Let me figure this out.’ And they don’t freak out and have the deer in the headlight’s moment.
In Vermont at large, I think it’s a different story. I feel like there are some areas in the very rural sections that are tricky. I went to the Northeast Kingdom one time and people didn’t really know what to make of me. They weren’t rude, but they just were kind of off-kilter and didn’t know how to interact with a Deaf person.
Q. When you’re out in public, like say ordering a tea, is there a way that you personally prefer for hearing people to try to communicate like writing or a little bit of sign language?
A. My personal preference, texting. That’s really easy.
I think a lot of Deaf folks that I know here are in the same boat because if a person does know a little bit of sign, you can have those misunderstandings.
I’ve definitely had, like, the wrong drink order. They can sign, but they can’t understand it. So, you don’t want to have those miscommunications.
Q. How has UVM and Vermont been at providing necessary resources such as interpreters and are there any changes you think could be made?
A. I will admit, if I go to a dental appointment or something like that, it’s more challenging out in the community to get interpreters. But for UVM, no problems. Hands down, fantastic. The accessibility coordinator, Lindsey, fights for all of us to make sure that we have the access we need.
Q. Is there anything that you think the hearing community could do to be better allies for the deaf and hard of hearing community?
A. Learn a little bit of Deaf culture and a little bit of ASL.
Just take the basics, learn your alphabet, some basic signs that will go a long way. If you know a little bit about Deaf culture — and understand that we have facial grammar and hand movements and body movements — you’re less likely to freak out.
Q. I know you’ve taught ASL at several different schools and have lived in different states. Do you have a favorite so far?
A. You know, as a woman of color who is deaf, I’ve gone through a lot of oppression and experienced some really hard things.
At UVM, I don’t have that same experience. I really feel equal to my colleagues and everybody around me. I’m not treated differently.I don’t find a vast separation. Anybody hangs out with anybody. It’s like a family.
Q. Is there a lot of interest in the ASL and Deaf studies courses at UVM and do you wish more schools offered these types of classes?
A. I wish there were more schools that did offer it because it’s great for the community. You know, it’s good to know that you’ve got options and choices. What I’m noticing is our classes are so popular even if you’re not in the ASL minor.
I get emails all the time, like, ‘Can I please get into your class? Can you open up a seat?’ If I had another option to send them to, I would. We don’t have that right now.
Q. I know that some other states and towns have events, such as Deaf Nights Out, where people get together from the Deaf community. Does this happen in Vermont?
A. It happens in Vermont once a month. We call it DNO. It’s not just Burlington, but we have had them in other locations throughout Vermont. I went to Randolph at one point, Stowe, so it travels.
Q. Are these events something that you would recommend to hearing people that want to get more involved in the Deaf community and how can people find out about these events?
A. Strongly recommend that for hearing folks to get involved. You know, we are super welcoming.
If you’re skilled at signing, great. If not, like, don’t worry about it. There’s definitely ways to figure it out. It’s a lot of fun and worthwhile. I would say Facebook, that’s the only place that they typically advertise.
Q. What’s something you wish more people knew about the Deaf community here in Burlington?
A. All right. So, for those hearing folks out there, they should know, you don’t have to be afraid to approach a Deaf person. Come out, hang out with us, interact, don’t be afraid.
There’s a way to communicate if you can’t sign. You know, there’s that social construct that people think, ‘Oh, you’re different, don’t interact.’ But we just navigate the world differently than you, and that’s fine.