Celebrating ASL and Deaf culture with Visual Vernacular

Over the past few years, American Sign Language (ASL) program coordinator Jonathan Penny has worked diligently with
members of the ASL team and the Department of Educational Psychology to raise awareness of ASL and Deaf culture and to
enhance its visibility on campus.

This spring, the University of Minnesota’s ASL Program and CEHD’s Deaf Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force hosted an entertaining evening event featuring Justin Perez. Perez is a performance artist and educator known for his use of Visual
Vernacular. Visual Vernacular is a unique form of ASL art, primarily performed by Deaf artists, that blends cinematic storytelling techniques with the visual and spatial richness of ASL, making it an engaging and accessible experience for everyone—whether attendees are fluent in ASL, familiar with another signed language(s), or have no prior experience with sign language in general.

The event brought together more than 300 members of the Twin Cities Deaf community for a family-friendly celebration
of ASL and Deaf culture. (We use “Deaf ” as an inclusive term encompassing individuals who identify as Deaf, Hard of Hearing,
DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, late-deafened, and others.) Perez showcased Visual Vernacular through expressive facial
and body movements to vividly portray a variety of scenes. Following his performance, Perez invited members of the audience
to participate in a series of improvisational skits, which brought joy to the room and were warmly received with laughter and
enthusiastic hand waves.

Leah Dolezal, a Deaf member of the ASL Program and a member of the Deaf Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force, shared that she found the event to be deeply inspiring. She expressed that the event felt like a meaningful and tremendous success, noting that the experience reminded her of earlier times during her middle and high school years, when the University hosted ASL events that welcomed and celebrated the Deaf community. CEHD’s Deaf Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force was established in the fall of 2023 to promote Deaf equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the University of Minnesota and the broader community.

Together, the task force and the ASL Program aspire to host additional on-campus events that foster inclusivity for Deaf faculty, staff, employees, and students.The groups also seek to strengthen connections with Deaf communities throughout the state of Minnesota and showcase real-life stories, experiences, knowledge, and ideas that reflect the depth and richness of ASL and Deaf culture. Another event is being planned for fall 2025.

Photo recreation by Jairus Davis