Communicating has been more difficult for people who are deaf or hard of hearing because of pandemic and the use of masks.
A ULM graduate launched a new website to teach others American Sign Language to help people with hearing disabilities “Feel Seen.”
Tracee Albert grew up learning ASL as her first language with her parents who are both deaf.
“Feel Seen is an American Sign Language learning program designed to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf community. Through teaching, learning, public engagement, and scholarship. Feel Seen will promote inclusiveness and diversity for all.” Tracee Albert, Founder, Feel Seen
“Feel Seen came from the fact that everyone wanted to learn. They wanted to tell me, ‘Oh, I want to learn sign language,’ and I never really had the time to teach them because I go to school, and I have two jobs,” Albert says.
Albert says it’s essential everyone at least knows the basics. “You always want to feel seen in a community no matter where you are, no matter your disabilities, no matter your limitations,” she says. “So, I feel like my website; you can learn the alphabet, numbers, colors, different kinds of foods, just to make people feel welcome in their environments.”
Albert says most people who are deaf read lips to help communicate. COVID-19 has also created another hurdle now that ‘masks’ the conversation.
“Since you can’t read their lips, you have to write everything down, and it takes away from the experience to just have that one-on-one eye contact and see people’s facial expressions.”
