| ASL University | Checklist | Lessons | Signs | Products | Resources | Lifeprint | |||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
| BIO and Qualifications: | |||
| William G. Vicars, Ed.D. | |||
![]() Hello ASL Heroes! Great to meet you! I go by "Bill." I'm president and owner of the Lifeprint Institute, a consultation business focusing on technology-enhanced delivery of ASL Instruction, excursion-based instruction (trips to amusement parks, grin), and extended-immersion-based program coordination (intense two-week residencies). My "day job" is being a full-time instructor of ASL/Deaf Studies at California State University, Sacramento. I tend to introduce myself as being "Deaf/hh." That
means I am hard-of-hearing and consider myself culturally Deaf. (Or
bi-cultural actually). Some of my degrees and
certifications (past and/or present) include: As you can see, I enjoy learning. Next, I'm thinking about becoming a licensed travel agent to be better prepared to set up "ASL immersion" trips to interesting places all over the world. Some of my current and/or past experiences and qualifications include: - Over 18 years experience as a
university-level ASL instructor Currently I'm an Asst. Professor in the ASL Program at California State University, Sacramento. As far as I know, I was the first ASL instructor from Utah to earn certification from the American Sign Language Teachers Association. Yadda, yadda, yadda... and a whole bunch
of other silly stuff. My wife, Belinda also teaches ASL on occasion. (Though her main focus is writing.) She was born deaf as a result of the rubella epidemic of 1964. (Whups, gave away her age. Shhhh, act surprised when you find out.) She attended a day-program for the Deaf in Bakersfield, California. She learned ASL prior to learning how to talk. She has taught college ASL classes and numerous community education ASL courses for many years. She's a wonderful mom, and a great cook. Once in a while I let her beat me in Scrabble. People ask us if our children are deaf. I tell them my kids are "hard
of listening" (heh). [That isn't a technical term
folks.] We share a home in Sacramento,
California
with several small furry creatures, (that's pets. The pets are furry, not the kids). Frequently Asked Questions: Question: Are you Deaf? Answer: I'm Deaf in the sense that I have a hearing loss, I use
ASL, and I participate in the Deaf community. Question: Where did you learn ASL? I started learning ASL as a youth from a Deaf woman, (Kathy Hadfield
of Brigham City, Utah. She later married Mark Erwin.) Question: Are you a member of the "Deaf Community?" Answer: I have been a member of the National Association of the Deaf since my early 20's. I was elected for a term on the Board of Directors of the Utah Association for the Deaf. I served as president of a Deaf religious congregation of over 150 members (Ogden Deaf Branch). I served as executive director of an IRS 501 (c) (3) non-profit Deaf Access Center. I met my Deaf wife at a "Deaf" event. I use close-captioning (subtitles) when I watch DVDs. One of my kids (Sarah) attended the Utah State School for the Deaf pre-school program, . I hang out with the Deaf, etc. The majority of my associates are either Deaf or work in Deaf-related fields (interpreters, ASL teachers, etc.) Question: Are you certified? I hold a masters in Deaf Education from an accredited university. I hold a doctorate in Deaf Education / Deaf Studies from an accredited university (Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas). I was a member of ASLTA back when they were still S.I.G.N. (Sign Instructors Guidance Network) As far as I have been able to ascertain, I was the first person from Utah to become ASLTA certified. (I'm now in California.) Question: What kind of experience do you have teaching ASL? Teaching ASL is my life's work. I taught ASL at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah for over a decade.
I have also taught ASL classes and/or workshops at the Utah Community Center
for the Deaf, the IRS, Hill Air Force Base, Defense Depot Ogden Utah, Mills Montessori
School, the Newgate Mall, Your Community Connection of Ogden,
Clearfield Community Schools, Davis County School District, Weber County
School District, Ogden City Corporation, The Sign Language Studio, Lifeprint
Institute, Lamar University in Beaumont Texas, The Sign Language
Association, California State University--Sacramento, and dozens of other
places. Geeze I must be getting old to have that many experiences. |
|||
|
|
|||